Hystaspes. Shahnameh. 1938

"Hystaspes. Shahnameh." is an oil painting by Nicholas Roerich from 1938. Depicting a lone figure on horseback riding across a vast desert landscape against a backdrop of blue mountains, the painting captures the grandeur and mystique of the ancient world. Roerich’s vibrant colors and stylized forms give the work a sense of otherworldly beauty. The painting is housed at the State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow, Russia. This artwork is one of many in a series based on the Persian epic poem Shahnameh by Ferdowsi, emphasizing Roerich's fascination with the history and culture of Central Asia. The iconic image of a lone figure on horseback in a vast landscape evokes a sense of journey and exploration, themes prominent in Roerich's work.