Oh, future! 1933

Nicholas Roerich painted this artwork titled 'Oh, future!' with tempera on canvas. In this composition, the artist evokes an ethereal, hopeful vision of the future. The figures gathered around a central, elevated figure recall ancient prophetic traditions. Such gestures of supplication and revelation have roots stretching back to antiquity, reappearing in various forms across different cultures. The mountain as a backdrop becomes a powerful symbol of spiritual ascent. Think of Mount Sinai, or Mount Olympus: places where humans seek divine contact. This connection taps into our collective unconscious, representing a yearning for transcendence. Here, the warm hues of the sky evoke a sense of optimism. The painting, therefore, invites a reflection on humanity’s enduring hope, and the recurring motifs through which we express it. This is how symbols reappear, carrying echoes of the past into the present, shaping our visions of what is to come.