Tibet 

Nicholas Roerich captured this vista of Tibet using tempera. Here, the golden light emanating from the village buildings evokes the idea of enlightenment, a central concept in Tibetan Buddhism. The motif of light emerging from darkness is ancient, seen in the Zoroastrian symbol of fire representing divine wisdom. The village, nestled amongst the mountains, recalls images of sacred settlements like Mount Athos, where monasteries dot the landscape, beacons of spiritual pursuit. Roerich, deeply influenced by Eastern philosophies, uses color and form to tap into the collective unconscious. The serene yet powerful mountain range resonates with a profound sense of timelessness. These archetypal forms speak to a shared human longing for understanding, for a light in the darkness, constantly resurfacing in our art and culture.