Was M.K. Čiurlionis the first abstract artist?

Kandinsky has generally been seen as the forefather of abstract art. But in 1951 the art critic Aleksis Rannit claimed that the Lithuanian artist M.K. Čiurlionis had beaten Kandinsky to the punch by several years. Was he correct? Watch and find out! Discover M.K. Čiurlionis: Between Worlds at Dulwich Picture Gallery Until 12 March 2023 https://dpg.art/ciurlionis Music: M.K. Čiurlionis, Impromptu in F sharp Minor, VL 181 (Arr. Joana Daunytė for Harp)