Lake of the Nagas. Kashmir. 1936

Nicholas Roerich painted Lake of the Nagas, Kashmir, using tempera, a traditional painting medium consisting of pigment mixed with a water-soluble binder, usually egg yolk. Roerich’s decision to paint with tempera is significant. Unlike oil paints which allow for blending and a smooth finish, tempera dries quickly, requiring a precise and deliberate application. The distinct, matte finish and vibrant colors achieved with tempera contribute to the painting’s stylized, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Look at the way the pigment sits on the surface, creating a slightly grainy texture that enhances the ruggedness of the mountain peaks. The choice of tempera connects Roerich to a lineage of icon painters and early Renaissance masters, who valued the medium for its luminosity and spiritual resonance. By embracing this age-old technique, Roerich infuses his landscape with a sense of timelessness and mysticism. Paying attention to materials and making helps us appreciate how artists imbue their work with meaning, blurring the boundaries between craft and fine art.