The artwork titled “Great Rider. Rigden Jyepo – Messenger of Shambhala” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1927. The piece, rendered in oil, canvas, and tempera, is part of the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of religious painting. It is a part of the Maitreya series and is housed in the Mongolia Museum of Art in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The artwork depicts a vibrant and dynamic scene with Rigden Jyepo, the Messenger of Shambhala, riding a majestic horse through the clouds. The rider is adorned in ornate, colorful garb, and the horse is similarly decorated with elaborate trappings. Above the rider, a serene figure, possibly a deity or enlightened being, sits within a mandorla, adding a spiritual dimension to the scene. The sky is filled with swirling clouds and ethereal patterns, enhancing the mystical atmosphere. Below, there are yurts and a gathering of people, set against a backdrop of serene mountains, suggesting a connection between the earthly and the divine. The use of vivid colors and symbolic elements emphasizes the religious and mystical significance of the subject matter.
