“Patrol of Himalayas,” painted by Nicholas Roerich in 1925, is a tempera on canvas that belongs to the Symbolism art movement. The artwork, part of the “Banners of the East” series, resides in the Roerich Museum in Moscow, Russia. This genre painting, measuring 73.6 x 117 cm, depicts a scene set in the majestic Himalayas.
The artwork portrays a group of figures, seemingly monks or guardians, navigating through a landscape dominated by massive, jagged ice formations. The figures are adorned in robes and are positioned against a backdrop of greenish sky, which beautifully contrasts with the cool tones of the ice. The composition of the painting captures a sense of serenity and mysticism, characteristic of Roerich’s work, invoking reflections on spiritual journeys and the timeless strength of nature. The robust and angular depiction of the ice emphasizes the monumental and eternal nature of the Himalayas, while the figures lend a sense of human presence and vigilance, symbolizing perhaps a spiritual patrol amidst the tranquil yet formidable expanse.
