Abode of the spirit 1933

Nicholas Roerich made 'Abode of the Spirit' with tempera on canvas. Tempera is an ancient painting medium consisting of pigments mixed with a binder – typically egg yolk. It requires a patient hand and a measured application. The qualities of tempera, its fast-drying nature and capacity for layering, allowed Roerich to build up the surface of this painting, capturing the stark light of the mountainous landscape. Notice how the paint is applied in flat planes, emphasizing the angularity of the mountains and the sculptural form of the stone figure. Roerich was deeply influenced by the spiritual traditions of the East, and this artwork reflects that. The human figure carved into stone, its smooth, grey surface contrasts with the surrounding rough rocks, creating a focal point, a still center in the landscape. By using the meticulous technique of tempera, Roerich infuses the scene with a sense of timelessness. This reminds us that the value and meaning of art lies not just in the image, but in the materials, the making, and the cultural context that gives it form.