Himalayas # 97 Ranges of rocks Roerich N.K. (Part 4)

The work presents a fragmented view of mountainous terrain. Here we observe a series of overlapping rock formations dominating the composition, arranged in receding planes that suggest considerable depth. The artist has eschewed naturalistic representation; instead, the forms are rendered through angular shapes and simplified volumes. A palette of earthy tones – ochre, brown, terracotta – is punctuated by areas of intense blue, creating a visual tension between warmth and coolness.
The application of paint appears deliberate, with distinct brushstrokes that emphasize the geometric nature of the depicted landscape. The edges of the rock faces are often sharply defined, contributing to a sense of fractured perspective. Light is not portrayed as a continuous source but rather as selective illumination highlighting certain planes while leaving others in shadow. This contributes to an overall feeling of abstraction and monumentality.
The subtexts within this painting seem to explore themes of scale and perception. The simplification of the landscape suggests a desire to move beyond mere visual recording, instead focusing on the essential forms and structures that define these geological features. The fragmented composition might be interpreted as a representation of how human understanding is limited when confronted with vast natural phenomena; we can only grasp portions of the whole at any given moment.
Furthermore, the use of color introduces an emotional layer to the work. The blues evoke a sense of distance and perhaps even melancholy, while the warmer tones suggest resilience and enduring strength. Ultimately, the painting conveys not just a landscape but also a meditation on human experience within a grand, imposing natural world.