Fires of victory (Sentinel lights on the towers in Gobi) 1940

Nicholas Roerich created “Fires of Victory” with tempera on canvas, a technique dating back to antiquity, yet here used to capture a modern spiritual quest. Roerich ground his own pigments from minerals and plants, a labor-intensive process connecting him intimately with the landscape depicted. Look closely, and you can see how the texture and color of the paint evokes the ruggedness of the Gobi Desert. The earth tones of the fortress, rendered in thin layers, contrast with the vibrant yellows and oranges of the fire, creating a dynamic tension. The artist applied tempera in a painstaking manner, building up the image layer by layer. This process mirrors the slow, deliberate journey of the figures in the painting, emphasizing the value of patience and perseverance in spiritual pursuits. By embracing this ancient medium, Roerich elevates the landscape to a spiritual realm, blurring the lines between craft, fine art, and the search for enlightenment.