“**Sacred Caves**,” painted by Nicholas Roerich in 1932, is a distinguished artwork located at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City, NY, US. Executed on canvas using tempera, this painting, measuring 107 by 153.5 centimeters, is a notable example of the Symbolism movement within the landscape genre.
The artwork depicts a majestic mountain landscape, characterized by rugged cliffs and intricately carved cave interiors. The composition is dominated by the earthy tones of the rock faces, which are artistically contrasted with the shades of blue and grey of the mountains and sky. Human figures, perhaps monks or spiritual figures, can be seen in and around the caves, emphasizing the sacrosanct nature of the scene. The distant, lofty peaks framed against the horizon, coupled with a mysterious image of a red figure on horseback in the background, imbue the artwork with an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere, inviting viewers into a mystical realm resonant with spiritual symbolism.
