Himalayas # 37 Anxious flame of the sunset Roerich N.K. (Part 6)

The artwork presents a landscape dominated by a dramatic sky and layered terrain receding into distance. The upper portion is consumed by a vibrant sunset, rendered in intense hues of red, orange, and blue. These colors are not blended smoothly; instead, they appear as distinct horizontal bands, creating a sense of visual stratification. This effect contributes to the overall feeling of unease or tension suggested by the title.
Below this fiery sky lies a series of undulating hills and valleys. The artist employed a muted palette for these elements – predominantly blues and greens – which contrasts sharply with the intensity above. These lower regions are not depicted with sharp detail; rather, they appear as hazy forms, diminishing in clarity as they recede into the background. This technique reinforces the impression of vastness and distance.
The composition is structured around a strong horizontal axis established by the sky and echoed in the layered landscape below. The dark border framing the image further emphasizes this horizontality, creating a sense of enclosure or containment. There are no discernible human elements within the scene; the focus remains entirely on the natural world and its inherent drama.
The use of color is particularly noteworthy. While sunsets often evoke feelings of tranquility, here the intense reds and oranges convey a sense of agitation – an “anxious flame,” as suggested by the title. The juxtaposition of these warm colors against the cool blues of the landscape creates a visual dissonance that contributes to this unsettling atmosphere.
Subtly, one might interpret the painting as exploring themes of scale and perspective. The vastness of the sky dwarfs the landscape below, suggesting humanity’s insignificance in the face of natures power. The layering of terrain could also be seen as symbolic of time or history, with each layer representing a different epoch or experience. Ultimately, the work invites contemplation on the sublime – that feeling of awe and terror inspired by encounters with overwhelming natural forces.