Hunt # 63 Hunting (ridge at sunset) ( sketch for the painting "Hunting") Roerich N.K. (Part 4)

The drawing presents a landscape study, likely intended as preliminary work for a larger composition concerning hunting. Here we see a layered arrangement of terrain receding into the distance, dominated by a series of undulating ridges or hills. The foreground is rendered in muted ochre tones, suggesting dry earth or scrubland. These lower planes transition to deeper blues and purples as they move further back, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective.
The most striking feature is the sky, which occupies a significant portion of the composition. It’s painted with broad strokes of yellow-green, overlaid with horizontal bands of pink and white, evoking a sunset or twilight atmosphere. The color palette feels somewhat unnatural, leaning towards an expressive rather than representational depiction of light and shadow.
The artist employed a simplified approach to form; the ridges are not meticulously detailed but instead suggested through broad planes of color. This simplification contributes to a feeling of abstraction, hinting at a focus on mood and emotional impact over precise topographical accuracy. The sketch’s purpose as preparation for a hunting scene is subtly implied by the vastness of the landscape – a space that could easily accommodate a pursuit or chase.
The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and perhaps even melancholy. The subdued colors, simplified forms, and expansive vista evoke a sense of solitude and the grandeur of nature. It’s possible to interpret this as an exploration of the relationship between humanity and the wilderness, with the landscape serving as both backdrop and potential stage for human action.