The artwork “Koksar” is a landscape painting by Nicholas Roerich, completed in 1944. It is an oil on canvas composition measuring 46 cm by 305 cm and is a part of the Symbolism art movement. The painting is located at the National Gallery for Foreign Art in Sofia, Bulgaria. This piece exemplifies Roerich’s fascination with nature and the spiritual undertones often present in his works.
In “Koksar,” Roerich depicts a dramatically rugged mountainous terrain, with towering peaks that rise steeply into the sky. The mountains are rendered with a boldness of form and a richness of colour that is characteristic of Roerich’s style. Shades of purple and golden yellow saturate the rock faces, igniting the canvas with a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. Beneath the commanding crags, a small settlement with white, flat-topped structures provides a stark contrast to the natural majesty and raw energy of the mountains.
The foreground features undulating landforms and snow or ice, suggested by the use of pale hues and delicate textural strokes. Despite the apparent harshness of the environment, there is a sense of harmony and perhaps even spiritual refuge, as humankind coexists with the powerful forces of nature. Roerich’s work often conveys a reverence for the natural world and a search for transcendental beauty, both of which are palpable in this serene yet monumental landscape.
