Rocks with Buddhist caves 1927

Nicholas Roerich painted these ‘Rocks with Buddhist Caves’ using tempera on canvas, reflecting his interest in the spiritual East. Born in late 19th-century Russia, Roerich was influenced by the Symbolist movement, which prioritized spiritual expression and subjective experience. The jagged forms of the rocks and the cave’s mouth, rendered in earth tones and a deep violet, evoke a sense of mystery. Roerich was deeply involved in the Theosophical Society, which blended Western esotericism with Eastern religious philosophies. His works are often interpreted as attempts to visualize the unseen spiritual forces he believed permeated the natural world. The image encourages us to consider the role of landscape in spiritual practice, and the artistic strategies through which belief systems are expressed. To fully understand Roerich's paintings we can look at the cultural context and belief systems that shaped his artistic vision.