Himalayas 1941

Nicholas Roerich made this painting of the Himalayas, depicting mountain peaks that pierce through a blanket of clouds. It has been suggested that Roerich, a Russian artist who lived from 1874 to 1947, aimed to convey spiritual and mystical ideas through his art. Paintings such as this should be considered in the context of the cultural movement known as Theosophy, which became popular in Europe and Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Theosophists believed in a universal spirituality and looked to the East for wisdom. They often depicted natural landscapes as symbols of spiritual truth. Roerich himself traveled extensively in the Himalayas and was deeply influenced by the region's spiritual traditions. We know, through detailed archival work, that he saw the mountains as places of transformation and enlightenment. To understand Roerich's art fully, one must explore the history of Theosophy, and its influence on early twentieth century art and thought. Roerich's paintings reflect the desire of some artists to find new forms of spirituality beyond the confines of Western institutions.