Kereksury 1927

Nicholas Roerich made this painting, Kereksury, with thin layers of paint, rendering mountains and rocks in hazy color. I can imagine Roerich, outdoors, squinting to see the subtle tonalities of the landscape. With focused concentration, he’s trying to catch the light just right! He paints the mountains in the distance with the barest suggestion of form. The paint application looks whispery and dry. I love the contrast between these misty, distant mountains and the angular rocks in the foreground. Roerich has turned these boulders into geometric shapes that somehow suggest both solidity and lightness. The colors—browns and beiges, rose and pale blue—feel muted yet harmonious. It reminds me that painting is like having a conversation across time. We painters look and learn from each other, remixing what we see into something new. There’s a feeling of quiet contemplation here, as Roerich invites us to pause and consider the majesty of nature. It's a gentle nudge to see the world with fresh eyes, appreciating its subtle beauty.