Himalayas. Golden clouds on a purple sky. 1940

Nicholas Roerich made this painting of the Himalayas with, what looks like, thin layers of paint, almost like watercolor, but with the opacity of gouache. The smooth application makes me think about how art making is so often about control and deliberate choices. The material aspect of the work is really interesting, especially how the texture is minimized. The thin, even surface lets the color do all the work. Look at the way the golden clouds sit against the purple sky – it's like a Rothko, but with mountains! That contrast creates this peaceful, almost meditative feeling. There’s one dark blue brushstroke at the bottom of the largest mountain. It's subtle, but it really grounds the whole image, giving it weight and presence. Roerich's body of work often explores these spiritual landscapes, and you can see echoes of artists like Hilma af Klint in his pursuit of transcendental themes. Art's like a conversation, and Roerich adds his own voice, embracing ambiguity and the multiple ways we can experience the world.