The artwork titled “Three Jewels,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1932, is a tempera painting on canvas that exemplifies the Symbolism art movement. Measuring 46 x 79 centimeters, this work falls under the landscape genre. It is currently housed in Bharat Kala Bhavan at Banaras Hindu University located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
The artwork depicts a serene and symbolically rich landscape with sharp, jagged mountains emerging prominently in the background, painted with variations of deep reds, purples, and blues. A monk, or sage-like figure, is shown seated at the entrance of a cave in quiet contemplation, adding a human element to the natural scene. The sky above the mountains transitions smoothly from a pale blue to a yellowish tint at the horizon, creating a calming atmosphere that contrasts with the rugged, almost mystical terrain. The scene is likely intended to evoke themes of introspection and spiritual quest, fitting well within the Symbolist movement’s focus on conveying deeper meanings through allegorical and symbolic imagery.
