The artwork “Book of Wisdom” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1924, utilizing tempera on canvas. This work, part of the Symbolism art movement and belonging to the “His country” series, is a landscape genre painting with dimensions of 88 x 117 cm. Currently housed in a private collection, the painting offers a serene thought-provoking scene.
The artwork captures a majestic landscape dominated by vast mountain ranges rendered in soothing shades of blue and interspersed with patches of white snow-capped peaks. The depiction of light and shadow creates a profound sense of depth and tranquility. In the foreground, a solitary figure, possibly a monk, is seated on a rock, engrossed in reading a book. The individual, adorned in modest red robes, is set against a backdrop of mystical mountains, suggesting a pursuit of wisdom and inner contemplation. A small structure, perhaps a shrine, is situated behind the figure, enhancing the spiritual and meditative ambiance of the scene. The overall composition evokes a sense of solitude, peace, and the timeless quest for knowledge amidst nature’s grandeur.