“Lake Yam-tso,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1937, is a symbolic landscape artwork rendered in tempera on cardboard. Measuring 30.5 by 37.7 centimeters, this piece illustrates the harmonious and mystical nature of landscapes from the symbolic art movement Roerich was part of.
The artwork depicts a serene, mountainous vista with layers of violet and blue hues illustrating the range of hills that seamlessly blend into a calm, distant lake. In the foreground, a series of white structures dot a sloping hill, presumably traditional dwellings or temples, adding a human element to the otherwise untouched expanse of nature. The sky appears softly lit, possibly capturing the gentle transition of dusk or dawn. Roerich’s use of color emphasizes the transcendental quality typical of symbolist landscapes, encouraging a contemplative reflection on the tranquility and spiritual essence of natural scenery.
