The artwork titled “Milarepa, the One Who Harkened” by the artist Nicholas Roerich, created in 1925, is a religious painting from the Symbolism movement. Executed with tempera on canvas, this piece measures 73.5 x 117.5 cm and belongs to the “Banners of the East” series. Currently, the artwork is held at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a serene, ethereal landscape with a striking backdrop of mountains bathed in shades of blue, evoking a sense of spiritual tranquility. The skies are painted in warm hues of yellow, suggesting the dawn of enlightenment. A central figure, Milarepa, is shown seated on a rocky outcrop, with his pose and expression indicating deep contemplation and listening. The sharp contrast between the rugged cliffs in the foreground and the misty, distant peaks adds depth and invokes the mystical ambiance often found in Roerich’s symbolic and religious works. The composition communicates Milarepa’s profound connection to nature and his spiritual journey, emphasizing the soulful introspection and enlightenment that characterizes his legacy.