Krishna-Lel 1935

This painting of Krishna-Lel was made with paint on canvas by Nicholas Roerich, but we're not sure exactly when. I love the way the colours are daubed, smudged and hatched, almost like pastels. It gives a sense of the artist feeling his way through the image, a process of discovery. The texture in this painting is so interesting. Look at the way Roerich builds up layers of colour to create depth and atmosphere. The blues and purples in the sky feel almost velvety, while the yellows and greens in the landscape have a kind of luminous quality. The way he depicts the figures is interesting - they have such a simple, pared-down form, especially the little yellow sheep, they feel very elemental. Think of another artist like Marsden Hartley and his landscapes. It’s clear art is one long conversation, isn’t it? Roerich creates such a strong sense of atmosphere and mystery, it’s a painting that stays with you long after you’ve seen it.