The artwork titled “Koksar” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1932. It is a tempera on canvas piece that embodies the Symbolism art movement and is categorized within the landscape genre. Currently, this piece is part of the collection housed at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City, NY, US.
In the artwork, Roerich presents a mountainous landscape imbued with a rich palette of purples, reds, and golds, suggesting the mystical or spiritual connotations often associated with Symbolism. The composition is focused on irregular and abstracted geometric forms that construct the mountains and architectural elements. A series of strong, diagonal lines add dynamism to the scene, leading the viewer’s eye across the rugged terrain to the fortress-like structures nestled within the cliffs.
The buildings appear monolithic against the vastness of the mountains, reflecting Roerich’s interest in the grandeur and spirituality of nature. The artwork emanates a sense of isolation and contemplative solitude, with the solid color blocks and serene mood evocative of Roerich’s vision of the Himalayas and his search for spiritual truths through the exploration of nature and ancient cultures. The artwork does not include any discernible figures, allowing the landscape itself to become the central character and theme of the composition.
