Island 1915

Nicholas Roerich captured this ethereal landscape in his painting "Island," using gentle brushstrokes and a predominantly muted lilac palette. The island, a recurring motif in art history, often symbolizes isolation, introspection, or spiritual retreat, harking back to ancient myths of idyllic isles. Think of the Isle of the Dead by Böcklin, where Charon transports a shrouded soul to a dark, rocky islet, the ultimate destination. Here, however, Roerich presents a softer image, yet the very choice of an island setting cannot but evoke a sense of being set apart from the world. The monochromatic palette and simplified forms lend this scene an almost dreamlike quality, stirring subconscious feelings of serenity and longing. The continuous thread through art history illustrates how symbols retain power, evolving yet always echoing primordial human experiences.