In "Sisyphus", Kalvis Zalitis (1976) reimagines the ancient Greek myth through his dramatic, neo-Baroque lens. The hero is depicted in a monumental struggle, his muscular body twisted under the crushing weight of an immense stone. The figure, sculptural in its modelling, is both human and mythic — caught between motion and paralysis, defiance and inevitability.

The composition is charged with theatrical intensity. Zalitis employs stark chiaroscuro: the luminous flesh of Sisyphus stands out against a void-like black ground, while the surrounding stone mass is rendered with sculptural precision, its fractured surfaces echoing both endurance and futility. The godlike face, with its flowing hair and strained expression, evokes the grandeur of classical statuary, yet here it is transfigured into a symbol of eternal struggle.

By translating the myth into a contemporary allegory, Zalitis underscores timeless human themes — resilience, suffering, and the relentless cycle of effort without release. "Sisyphus" exemplifies his unique ability to merge mythological narrative, dramatic light, and sensual realism, transforming the canvas into both a stage and a meditation on existence.