Temple Naggar Roerich N.K. (Part 3)
Roerich N.K. – Temple Naggar
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Location: Collection Joe Dzhagoda. USA.Dallas
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Nicholas Roerich spent many years with his family on expeditions in the East of Eurasia. They visited many countries: India, Tibet, China, Mongolia. But it was not the cityscapes that shocked the artist the most, but nature. The work "Temple in Naggar" is a praise of man-made and natural art. In this work we see a large temple surrounded by mountains. For followers of Hinduism, this place is a revered shrine.
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Description of the painting "The Temple in Naggar" by Nikolai Roerich
Nicholas Roerich spent many years with his family on expeditions in the East of Eurasia. They visited many countries: India, Tibet, China, Mongolia. But it was not the cityscapes that shocked the artist the most, but nature. The work "Temple in Naggar" is a praise of man-made and natural art.
In this work we see a large temple surrounded by mountains. For followers of Hinduism, this place is a revered shrine. Lost deep in the mountains, the temple of Tripura Sundari will seem like a real gem to any pilgrim. The structure is located in northern India, in the small town of Naggar. Roerich depicted Tripura Sundari as if we were looking at it from a high mountain. This mountain is not visible, but from it we can see all the details of the Hindu temple.
The structure consists of a three-tiered, pointed roof. This way of erecting temples is very common in India. Around the building we see several smaller houses in which the local monks probably live. All the houses and the temple are surrounded by a high fence.
But it is not only the fence that protects the temple. The main guards are the majestic Himalayas. During his expeditions, Roerich traveled extensively in the mountains. The Himalayas became his favorite place and an eternal source of inspiration. Behind the temple is a high mountain range. The artist chose to use an exceptionally cold range of colors when working on this painting.
It is very difficult to understand what time of day the artist depicted. At first glance, it might seem like dusk. The sun is already behind the horizon, but the mountains still hold a charge of solar heat and glow from within. But this impression is deceptive. If you look closely, you can see that the snow-white mountains in the background shine in the sun. The snowy peaks reflect the light and give bright colors to the work. Probably the artist depicted earlier in the morning, when the sun just a couple of hours ago appeared in the sky. Some of the rays have already illuminated the mountain range, but the small temple located on a low mountain has not yet received the light it deserves.
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The artist has employed a monochromatic palette dominated by varying shades of blue, creating a sense of coolness and distance. The mountains rise sharply behind the structure, their peaks heavily laden with snow. These peaks are rendered with simplified forms, emphasizing their monumental scale and imposing presence. A subtle gradation in color suggests atmospheric perspective, enhancing the feeling of depth within the scene.
The placement of the building against this vast backdrop evokes themes of human endeavor and resilience in the face of natures power. The structure appears small and vulnerable when contrasted with the immensity of the mountains, hinting at a sense of isolation or perhaps spiritual fortitude. The blue tones contribute to an overall mood of serenity and contemplation, while also potentially suggesting a feeling of melancholy or remoteness.
The deliberate simplification of forms – both in the architecture and the landscape – suggests a focus on essence rather than detailed representation. This stylistic choice could be interpreted as an attempt to convey a sense of timelessness or universality, transcending specific cultural or historical contexts. The composition invites reflection on the relationship between humanity, faith, and the natural world.