The artwork titled “Final Journey” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1922. This piece is representative of the Symbolism movement and falls under the genre of landscape. Roerich’s creation captures a mystical and emotive essence characteristic of Symbolist art.
“Final Journey” presents a serene yet somber scene. Dominated by cool hues, the artwork features a vast, tranquil landscape under a twilight or night sky. The sky is streaked with subtle gradations of blue and adorned with a pale full moon that casts a soft glowing path across a body of water. In the foreground, on either side, there are two figures shrouded in drapery; one stands erect and gazing into the distance, while the other is seated with head bowed, possibly in contemplation or mourning. Between them, a small boat with a golden glow is discernible on the water, suggesting the departure or transition insinuated by the work’s title. The background is defined by the silhouettes of rounded mountain peaks that border the horizon, adding to the sense of a remote and mystical space. The composition as a whole invokes a poignant sense of passing or transition, with spiritual or metaphysical undertones.