Message from Shambhala 1933

Nicholas Roerich painted "Message from Shambhala" with, I imagine, thin layers of tempera to create this otherworldly landscape. It’s as if he’s conjuring a vision more than depicting a place. I am really struck by the way the blues cascade down the rock face on the left. The paint is applied in these broad, vertical strokes that give the impression of both solidity and fluidity, like water or light itself is cascading over the land. See how the blues and purples meet the warm, peachy tones on the right? That contrast is so crucial. It gives the piece an emotional depth, balancing the cool, spiritual distance with the warmth of human presence. Roerich’s palette reminds me of Hilma af Klint, another artist who explored spiritual themes with unconventional color choices. Both artists used color to create an emotional and psychological space, inviting us to consider how art might open up new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.