The Himalayas # 18 The purple mountains against the background of the yellow sky Roerich N.K. (Part 5)

Here we observe a landscape dominated by a range of mountains, rendered in a stylized and somewhat abstracted manner. The composition is divided into distinct planes; a dark foreground slopes upwards towards a central band of intensely blue peaks, which then transition into snow-capped summits that recede against a pale sky.
The color palette is striking. Deep indigo defines the lower portion of the scene, creating a sense of depth and shadow. The mountains themselves are primarily rendered in varying shades of blue, with areas of white suggesting snow or ice. The sky, rather than being a traditional blue, appears as a muted grey-green, contributing to an overall feeling of coolness and distance. There is no visible horizon line; the sky seems to merge seamlessly with the upper reaches of the mountains.
The artist’s technique emphasizes form over realistic detail. The mountains are not depicted with photographic accuracy but rather through simplified shapes and blocks of color. Brushstrokes appear deliberate, contributing to a sense of controlled energy. This approach lends the scene an almost dreamlike quality, suggesting a subjective experience of the landscape rather than a purely objective representation.
Subtly, there is a feeling of vastness and isolation conveyed by the composition. The absence of human presence or any sign of civilization reinforces this impression. The stylized rendering and unusual color choices evoke a sense of awe and perhaps even spiritual contemplation – an attempt to capture not just the visual appearance of the mountains but also their emotional impact. The painting seems less concerned with topographical accuracy than with conveying a feeling, a mood associated with these imposing natural formations.