Thang La 

Nicholas Roerich painted “Thang La” during his time in India, possibly with tempera, though the medium remains unconfirmed. This dreamscape evokes the Himalayas, a region Roerich deeply revered as a source of spiritual insight. Roerich was an important figure in the development of twentieth century esoteric thought, and we must see the painting as reflecting this investment. The cultural context is one of both Russian mysticism and orientalism. His approach combines both the symbolic language of the Russian Orthodox Church and the aesthetic style of the early symbolists. It also evokes the spiritual aura of the East that was so appealing to Westerners at the time. To better understand paintings like this, we might consider Roerich’s biography alongside research into the history of the Theosophical Society, both of which would help us appreciate how Roerich's social and intellectual context shaped his art. His art, though not overtly political, embodies a subtle critique of Western materialism through its romantic spiritualism.