Serpent Wisdom # 29 (old serpent) Roerich N.K. (Part 3)

The composition presents a scene steeped in symbolic weight and dramatic tension. A group of figures is arranged across a landscape dominated by imposing, dark rock formations that rise abruptly from a lower plane. The color palette is restricted primarily to ochre, gold, brown, and black, contributing to an atmosphere of antiquity and solemnity.
Several individuals are clustered around a central figure who appears to be in a state of ecstatic revelation or suffering. Their postures suggest a mixture of awe, distress, and perhaps even complicity. The figures’ faces are largely obscured, emphasizing their role as witnesses rather than active participants in the unfolding drama. One individual on the left seems to be gesturing towards the sky, while another appears to be shielding his face with his hands.
Above this group, a serpentine form coils through the air, its body rendered in flowing lines of gold and ochre. The serpent’s presence is significant; it dominates the upper portion of the canvas and suggests a connection between the earthly realm of the figures and a higher, possibly divine or primordial power. Its posture implies movement and dynamism, contrasting with the relatively static arrangement of the human figures below.
The landscape itself seems to be both protective and oppressive. The towering rocks create a sense of enclosure, while the swirling patterns in the sky suggest turbulent forces at play. This interplay between confinement and freedom contributes to the overall feeling of unease and anticipation.
Subtly, there’s an implication of generational transmission or inherited knowledge. The figures seem to be receiving something from the serpent, perhaps a burden or a truth that has been passed down through time. Their collective posture suggests a shared experience, hinting at a ritualistic or mythological context. The muted color scheme and stylized forms further reinforce this sense of timelessness and universality.

The painting’s power lies in its ambiguity; it doesnt offer easy answers but instead invites contemplation on themes of wisdom, suffering, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.