“Arrows of Sky – Spears of Land” is a mythological painting created by Nicholas Roerich in 1915. The artwork, rendered in oil, canvas, and tempera, belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. Measuring 103 x 188 cm, this magnificent piece is housed in the Turkmen Museum of Fine Arts in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The artwork depicts a sweeping landscape that merges the earth and sky in a harmonious, yet dynamic composition. In the foreground, a central figure, clad in medieval armor and holding a spear, stands amidst a battlefield or a gathering of warriors. The scene unfolds into a horizon where the land seems to be pierced by numerous spears, extending the metaphor of the sky’s arrows. The perspective and style create a sense of mythological grandeur, with an emphasis on the elemental forces and heroic imagery characteristic of Roerich’s oeuvre. The use of tempera alongside oil on canvas provides a unique texture and depth, contributing to the artwork’s timeless and ethereal quality.