The artwork under discussion is titled “Order of Rigden Jyepo,” created by the artist Nicholas Roerich around the year 1927. This Symbolist religious painting is executed using tempera on canvas and measures 61 x 120 cm. Currently housed in the Roerich Museum located in Moscow, Russia, it stands as an exemplary piece from the Symbolism art movement.
The composition of the artwork is striking, featuring a vivid and mountainous landscape bathed in hues of purple, blue, and pink. In the forefront, several figures mounted on horses appear to be ascending towards a large, dark rock formation. Within this formation, an ethereal and luminous depiction of Rigden Jyepo, the King of Shambhala, is prominently displayed. The spiritual figure is surrounded by a halo of golden light, emphasizing his divine and sacred nature. The overall scene evokes a sense of pilgrimage or spiritual quest, with the riders seemingly drawn towards the holy apparition. The rich, vibrant colors and the mystical subject matter highlight the Symbolist themes of transcendence and the pursuit of higher knowledge.
