“Flying Carpet,” rendered by Nicholas Roerich in 1916, is a tempera painting on canvas that exemplifies the Symbolism art movement. Measuring 130 x 145 cm, this mythological painting is housed in the Horlivka Museum of Fine Arts in Horlivka, Ukraine.
The artwork depicts a fantastical scene where a figure, appearing to be an elder or sage, stands beside a tented structure, gazing upwards. The vast sky above shows a majestic flying carpet with intricate patterns soaring amongst the clouds. The environment is infused with an ethereal quality, blending elements of dream and reality, a hallmark of the Symbolist movement. The use of tempera on canvas provides a unique texture, emphasizing the mystical and serene atmosphere of the scene. The overall palette is dominated by cool tones of blue and purple, enhancing the otherworldly essence of the painting.
