The artwork titled “Ienno-Guio-Dia – friend of travelers” was created by the artist Nicholas Roerich in 1924. This mythological painting, rendered in tempera on canvas, is a part of the “Banners of the East” series and exemplifies the Symbolism art movement. The piece measures 74 x 118 cm and is housed in the Roerich Museum in Moscow, Russia.
The artwork depicts a serene and powerful visual narrative set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped mountain peaks that dominate the upper portion of the composition, conveying a sense of majestic grandeur. The mountains are rendered with cool tones of blue and white, with their stark, jagged lines suggesting a raw, untamed environment. Below, undulating hills and valleys painted in vivid shades of green and purple unfold, leading the eye gently down the canvas. At the forefront, a solitary figure, evoking a sense of tranquility and mystical wisdom, stands prominently. Clad in yellow robes that suggest spiritual significance, the figure holds a staff and symbolizes a guardian or guide to travelers – a subject that aligns with the artist’s predilection for spiritual and mystical themes. The contrasting warm and cold colors, along with the sharp geometries of the landscape and the solemn stillness of the figure, create a harmonious, otherworldly atmosphere that invites contemplation of the sublime and the mysterious.
