Monhegan (Vagueness) 1922

Nicholas Roerich created this work, *Monhegan (Vagueness)*, using pastel on cardboard. Notice how the composition is dominated by a large, imposing landmass to the left that contrasts sharply with the tranquil expanse of water to the right. The artist creates a mood that feels both solid and ethereal. The colour palette is restrained, favouring blues and greys, which blurs the distinction between sea and sky. This invites us to consider the concept of liminality – the threshold between one state and another. The title itself, *Vagueness*, suggests an intentional ambiguity. Roerich destabilizes the traditional landscape. We are prompted to question our perceptions and expectations. The artist engages with philosophical questions about reality and representation. The gentle gradations of colour in the sky and the water contrast to the rocky forms, offering a commentary on the transient versus the permanent. The textural contrast enhances the viewer's sensory experience and engages with broader artistic and philosophical considerations. Art, like life, is not about fixed meanings but is, instead, an ongoing process of discovery.