It is Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness [Buddha]

Author: Sofía Bassi

Title: Más vale encender una luz, que maldecir las tinieblas (Buda) (It is Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness [Buddha])

Date: 1994

Material: Oil on masonite

Dimensions: 19.7 × 23.6 inches

Location: Private collection

Rights: Sofía Bassi Foundation

It is Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness [Buddha] embodies Sofía Bassi’s mystical and esoteric vision, using a dreamlike composition to explore the theme of illumination amidst darkness. The central figure, draped in flowing blue-green robes, sits atop a spectral, mountainous landscape, holding a small flame that radiates against the tumultuous night sky. This glowing ember serves as a symbolic counterpoint to the surrounding darkness, encapsulating the painting’s philosophical essence—spiritual enlightenment as a force against despair.

Bassi’s characteristic use of deep greens and earthy shadows creates an ethereal atmosphere, evoking a realm suspended between reality and the metaphysical. The jagged peaks and swirling, organic forms that populate the landscape reinforce the sensation of a cosmic pilgrimage, while the presence of distant, enigmatic figures suggests an ongoing quest for wisdom.

Rooted in the artist’s interest in alchemy and transcendence, this work aligns with her broader artistic exploration of otherworldly dimensions. By invoking the Buddha’s words, Bassi transforms this painting into a visual meditation on the power of inner light and the eternal struggle between ignorance and knowledge.