A depiction of the Cintamani being carried by the Lung Ta (Wind Horse) 1936

Nicholas Roerich painted ‘A depiction of the Cintamani being carried by the Lung Ta (Wind Horse)’ with what looks like tempera, or maybe gouache, given the matte surface and clear blocks of colour. Look how the mountains are built up from geometric planes, almost like a child’s drawing, yet the overall effect is totally transporting. Roerich doesn’t blend or shade much; each colour sits next to the other, creating a dreamlike, almost mystical quality. Take the horse itself – that pale blue feels so ethereal against the rugged landscape. And the Cintamani, that flaming jewel on its back? It’s like a beacon, guiding us through this visionary space. Roerich's commitment to simplified forms and symbolic content feels almost like Marsden Hartley. Both artists use the landscape as a means for inner exploration. Ultimately, this piece invites us to consider how colour and form can construct worlds, not just depict them.