The artwork, titled “Tombs in the Desert,” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1930. It belongs to the Symbolism art movement, is a landscape genre piece, and is part of the “Genghis Khan” series.
The artwork depicts a desolate desert landscape at either dusk or dawn, characterized by a palette of earthy tones that convey a sense of vastness and timelessness. In the foreground, one can discern the shapes of ancient tombs or burial mounds, delineated in shades of brown and ochre, suggesting the contours of the barren terrain. Silhouetted against the subtle gradient of the sky, two figures on horseback, whimsical yet stark, stand with a sense of solemnity and reverence, perhaps hinting at the passage of time and the enduring legacy of history. The background reveals undulating hills or distant mountains, painted in muted tones that recede into an enigmatic horizon, reinforcing the mystical and symbolic nature of the scene.