The artwork, titled “Battle in the Heavens”, was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1912. Executed using tempera on cardboard, this symbolic piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of cloudscape. Measuring 66 by 95 cm, the artwork exemplifies Roerich’s characteristic style.
In “Battle in the Heavens”, a dramatic tableau unfolds within a scene filled with dynamic cloud formations. The sky is a tumultuous mix of purples, blues, and tinges of yellow, creating a striking contrast and capturing the viewer’s attention. The voluminous clouds dominate the composition, seemingly in a state of conflict or turmoil, which evokes the sense of a celestial battle as suggested by the title. Below this grand spectacle, the landscape is rendered in softer tones, with serene waters and undulating hills stretching into the distance. The juxtaposition between the violent skyscape and the tranquil earth below serves to heighten the sense of drama, reflecting the symbolic nature of Roerich’s work.
