Himalayas # 30 Sonata of aboveground paints Roerich N.K. (Part 6)

The composition presents a landscape dominated by a range of mountains rendered in a stylized and abstracted manner. The artist has employed a limited palette, primarily consisting of blues, yellows, oranges, and whites, applied with visible brushstrokes that contribute to the works textural quality.
Here we see a layered effect; the foreground is defined by a band of deep blue, which gradually transitions into lighter shades as it ascends towards the central mountain range. These peaks are depicted in a saturated indigo, their forms simplified to sharp, angular shapes. The artist has used white highlights along the ridgelines to suggest light and shadow, creating a sense of volume despite the overall flatness of the rendering.
Behind the primary mountain range, another layer of hills or lower mountains is visible, painted in hues of orange and yellow. This creates a visual depth, although it’s achieved through color rather than perspective. The sky above is rendered as a wash of pale yellow, suggesting either sunrise or sunset. A black border frames the entire scene, isolating the landscape and intensifying its impact.
The work evokes a sense of vastness and grandeur, but not in a realistic way. Instead, it conveys an emotional response to the subject matter – perhaps awe, serenity, or even a feeling of isolation. The simplification of forms and the use of non-naturalistic colors suggest that the artist is less interested in depicting a literal representation of a landscape than in conveying its essence or spiritual significance.
The title’s reference to a “sonata” implies a musicality within the visual arrangement; perhaps suggesting a rhythm or harmony between the different elements of the composition, and hinting at an underlying structure that transcends mere pictorial description. The use of aboveground paints might allude to the materiality of the work itself, drawing attention to the physical act of painting and the qualities of the pigments used.