The artwork titled “Saint Sophia the Almighty Wisdom” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1932. This symbolic painting, executed using tempera on canvas, belongs to the Symbolism art movement. It has dimensions of 107.5 by 173 centimeters and is part of the collection at the Nicholas Roerich Museum located in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork presents an ethereal vision of Saint Sophia, depicted as a divine figure riding a horse with flowing, luminous red and orange hues enveloping them, creating an image of both transcendental wisdom and fiery judgment. The divine figure, with a crown and a radiant halo, holds a scroll, suggesting loftier realms of knowledge and spiritual guidance. Below, a medieval cityscape fades into the distance, characterized by dark, tranquil silhouettes, providing a stark contrast to the vibrant, dynamic heavens above. The horizon line, marked by the juxtaposition of the earthly and the celestial, amplifies the symbolic narrative of wisdom reigning supreme over worldly constructs. The overall composition underscores themes of divine illumination and worldly revelation.
