Guardian of desert 1941

Nicholas Roerich made this gouache painting, Guardian of Desert, layering thin washes of muted lavender, ochre, and burnt umber. I can imagine him outside, in a place where the air and light are thin and clear. It’s quiet, except maybe for the wind. There’s a stillness to the scene. The guardian figure, standing atop the hill, has a quiet watchfulness, and you can sense the bigness of the landscape behind. The sky is a wash of color, and the hills in the background fade into the distance. You know, it reminds me of Agnes Martin, the way she used thin washes of color to create these subtle, atmospheric effects. Roerich was also interested in spirituality, mysticism and symbolism. Like other painters, he's looking to capture something beyond what we see. Painting is like that - a conversation that transcends time.