The artwork entitled “Ak-Tagh. Lenin’s Mountain,” was created by Nicholas Roerich circa 1926. Executed in tempera on panel, this piece belongs to the Symbolism movement and measures 22.8 by 29.2 centimeters. As a landscape genre, it exemplifies Roerich’s characteristic approach to blending spiritual and natural elements in his depiction of mountainous terrain.
In the artwork, the foreground presents an earthy expanse of muted brown and purple, possibly suggesting a barren or minimally vegetated plain. The middle ground features rolling hills, subtly differentiated in shades of brown and green. Dominating the composition are majestic snow-capped mountain peaks that stretch across the horizon, bathed in soft hues of white and blue, which lend an ethereal quality to the scene. The utilization of tempera results in a matte finish, enhancing the mystical and serene atmosphere of the landscape. The cool tones and minimalist composition reflect Roerich’s symbolic interpretation of the natural world, evoking a sense of timelessness and spiritual majesty.
