Three swords (fig.) # 65 (sketch for the painting "Three Sword") Roerich N.K. (Part 4)

The composition presents a fragmented landscape dominated by geometric forms and a restricted palette. A large, roughly triangular mass occupies the foreground, rendered in muted browns and ochres with visible brushstrokes that suggest texture and unevenness. Embedded within this form are several stylized depictions of swords – their blades intersecting and overlapping, creating a complex pattern. These objects appear not as functional weapons but rather as symbolic elements integrated into the earth itself.
Behind the foreground mass rises a steeper plane, colored in shades of blue and gray. This area lacks detail, appearing more like an abstract backdrop than a realistically depicted terrain. The abrupt transition between the earthy tones of the foreground and the cool blues creates a visual tension that emphasizes the isolation of the central motif. A sliver of pale sky is visible at the top, offering a minimal contrast to the prevailing somber hues.
The artist’s use of simplified shapes and flattened perspective contributes to an overall sense of detachment and ambiguity. The swords, while clearly identifiable, are not presented in a narrative context; their presence within the earth suggests themes of buried history, suppressed conflict, or perhaps even a symbolic representation of power embedded within the landscape. The lack of human figures reinforces this feeling of absence and invites contemplation on the broader implications of these symbols.
The sketch’s unfinished quality – evident in the visible brushwork and areas of unblended color – suggests it is an exploratory study, a preliminary investigation into the arrangement and symbolic weight of its elements. It hints at a larger work where these ideas might be further developed and refined, but retains a raw immediacy that is compelling in itself.