Tibet 1937

Nicholas Roerich created this painting, Tibet, without a specified date, using what looks like tempera on board. The way Roerich approaches the landscape is so interesting; it's like he's building up the forms with these deliberate, almost architectural strokes. Look at how he stacks those blues and purples in the mountains, and then that surprising hit of pink in the fortress. It's not quite representational, but it has this solid, grounded feeling. The texture is smooth, likely from thin layers of paint. There's a flatness that almost feels like a backdrop. It's a way of seeing the world that feels both monumental and intimate, like Roerich is inviting us into his own personal vision of this place. Those crisp lines and clear colors remind me a bit of Marsden Hartley, another artist who wasn't afraid to simplify and abstract to get at the heart of a landscape. Ultimately, it's a painting that leaves you with more questions than answers, and that's exactly what makes it so compelling.