E minor - Variation 1 — Acrylic on Paper by Arnaud Quercy

About This Artwork

This work explores the visual translation of an E minor chord through chromesthetic mapping, where musical tones correspond to specific colors. The piece belongs to the Synesthetic Explorations collection, investigating how harmonic structures can be rendered visible through systematic color relationships. The composition presents the E minor triad — E, G, B — as a spread voicing across multiple octaves.

Yellow-orange tones dominate the composition, occupying substantial areas through goldenrod and orange hues that represent the higher register notes. Yellow-green appears throughout the surface as olivedrab and ochre, creating the harmonic third relationship. Black provides foundational weight in the lower portion, representing the bass register, while a red-orange accent appears as a small but intense note. The geometric forms organize these colors into distinct zones that mirror the spatial arrangement of piano keys, with vertical and horizontal divisions creating clear harmonic boundaries.

The work measures 10.0 × 15.0 cm and weighs minimal amounts as acrylic on paper. This compact format concentrates the harmonic relationships into an intimate study suitable for close examination. The piece carries certificate number 20240615-0130 and features the artist's signature in the bottom right corner. Created in 2024, it represents one investigation within the broader Synesthetic Explorations series examining the intersection of musical and visual perception.