Sanctuaries and Citadels 1925

Nicholas Roerich made "Sanctuaries and Citadels," with what looks like tempera or maybe thin oils, and you can see the handmade quality in every brushstroke. The paint is laid down in these distinct, almost geometric patches, which gives the whole scene this incredible sense of solidity. Look at that mountain range in the background – it’s like a quilt of lavender and rose, each plane carefully considered. Then, there's the architecture on the left, built up of rough textures and sharp angles. It feels ancient and grounded. And the way the light hits the foreground, turning the earth into warm orange, is really something. It's not about realism here, it's about creating a mood, a sense of timelessness. Roerich's palette reminds me of Hilma af Klint’s spiritual landscapes, where color is used to evoke inner states. It’s like he’s not just painting what he sees, but what he feels.