“Shadow of the Teacher,” created in 1932 by Nicholas Roerich, is a tempera masterpiece on canvas. This symbolic landscape painting is part of the “Banners of the East” series and is housed in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia. The artwork belongs to the Symbolism movement.
The artwork depicts a majestic mountainous landscape, characterized by sharp contrasts and the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Dominated by towering peaks with a striking red hue, the jagged rock formations catch the viewer’s eye. Behind them, snow-capped mountains rise grandly into the sky, their whiteness contrasting sharply with the deep blue background. In the foreground, a sunlit slope of earthy tones adds depth to the composition. The vivid depiction of natural elements combined with the subtle suggestion of a mystical presence aligns with the Symbolist ethos, imbuing the piece with a sense of otherworldly contemplation.