Night rider 1918

Nicholas Roerich made this blue painting, Night Rider, and what strikes me is how it feels like he's playing with a very limited palette to create a whole world. The whole painting shimmers in its blueness, like a dream or a memory. Up close, you can see the paint isn’t trying to hide itself. It's thin in places, letting the surface peek through, and thicker in others, giving a real sense of depth. Look at the way the mountains fade into the distance, each layer a slightly different shade, it's like he's building up the scene, one brushstroke at a time. There's a kind of stillness, even though the title suggests movement. This reminds me a bit of the landscapes of Agnes Martin, who also used color and form to evoke a sense of quiet contemplation. Both artists show us that art isn’t about answers, it’s about asking questions and opening ourselves up to new ways of seeing and feeling.