River Chandra 1932

Nicholas Roerich painted River Chandra, probably in the early 20th century, with what looks like tempera on canvas, resulting in a matte, almost chalky surface. The overall color scheme is what grabs me: mauves, blues, and earth tones layered in a way that feels both grounded and otherworldly. Looking closely, you can see how Roerich built up the forms with these small, deliberate strokes, almost like he’s carving the mountains and structures out of pigment. The paint application is quite thin, which allows the texture of the canvas to peek through, adding a sense of depth and atmosphere. Notice the jagged peaks of the mountains in the background; they’re rendered with such simplicity, yet they convey a real sense of grandeur. This piece reminds me a bit of Milton Avery, in the way he simplified natural forms into blocks of color. Ultimately, it shows the power of art to transport us to another place, both real and imagined.