Himalayas 1942

Nicholas Roerich made this painting of the Himalayas with tempera, in a way that feels less like documenting and more like meditating. The painting has layers, like stage flats, in shades of blue. It's a calming palette, until the mountain itself. Roerich's pink mountain is like a beacon, a focal point, or even a question mark. It's less representational than the blues beneath it, and more of a symbol. I like how the colours change the atmosphere of this piece. It reminds me of Guston, but softer, more internal. It's a reminder that paintings aren't just pictures; they're experiences.