The artwork titled “He who hastens” is a creation of artist Nicholas Roerich, completed in 1924. This piece is executed on canvas using tempera and is affiliated with the Symbolism art movement. It measures 89.5 by 116.5 centimeters and is categorized as a landscape genre. Part of the series “His country,” the artwork finds its home at the Nicholas Roerich Museum located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a vast, almost ethereal landscape that appears to be set during twilight or the early moments of dawn. Dominating the composition is an imposing mountain range bathed in vibrant shades of pink and orange, reflecting the light of the sun. These shades lend a spiritual or otherworldly atmosphere to the scene, which is a common characteristic of Roerich’s Symbolist approach. Below the mountains, a band of clouds or mist partially veils the lower terrain, creating a sense of vast, serene emptiness or distance.
In the foreground, in stark contrast to the immensity and bright coloration of the mountains, there are subdued, darker shades of rocky formations. Upon one of these outcroppings sits a solitary figure on horseback, almost blending into the landscape. The figure is small and appears contemplative or in awe of the majestic nature before him. The presence of the rider adds a human element to the work, offering a reference point for the scale and the emotional response to the environment.
Overall, the artwork conveys a sense of solitude and the sublime, with a clear emphasis on the majesty of nature and the small place humanity occupies within it. Roerich’s use of color and light adds a mystical quality to the landscape, inviting viewers to ponder the deeper meanings or symbolism inherent in the scene.
