“Krishna-Lel,” created by Nicholas Roerich circa 1935, is a mythological painting rendered in tempera on cardboard. Measuring 31 by 46 centimeters, the artwork belongs to the Symbolism art movement and is housed at the Novosibirsk State Museum of Fine Arts in Novosibirsk, Russia.
The artwork depicts a serene and contemplative scene, showing a figure adorned in traditional garments, seated on a rock with a musical instrument, engaging deeply with their activity amidst a backdrop of dynamic, sweeping brushstrokes that emote a sense of natural tranquility and ethereal beauty. The mountainous horizon in the distance adds to the mythological and almost otherworldly atmosphere of the scene. Roerich’s use of soft, muted colors and his signature textured style evoke a timeless narrative, echoing the spiritual and symbolic themes prevalent in his oeuvre.
