“Sketch made by travelling in Italy and Switzerland,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1906, is a piece of art that belongs to the Symbolism movement and falls under the genre of sketches and studies. The artwork intricately captures the natural landscape observed during Roerich’s travels through Italy and Switzerland.
The artwork portrays a majestic mountainous scene, replete with towering, rugged cliffs and snow-capped peaks. The composition is imbued with a sense of grandeur, emphasizing the scale and serenity of the natural setting. The mountains, blanketed in snow, descend into a tranquil body of water, capturing the stillness and reflection of the serene environment. The color palette is a blend of cool tones, with whites and blues dominating the snowy regions, interspersed with muted browns and greens highlighting the rocky terrain. The sky, overcast with clouds, adds an element of depth and movement to the piece. Overall, the artwork evokes a profound sense of reverence for the untouched beauty of nature, characteristic of Roerich’s symbolic approach.