“She who leads,” created in 1944 by Nicholas Roerich, is a significant artwork housed at the Novosibirsk State Museum of Fine Arts in Novosibirsk, Russia. Executed on cardboard using tempera, the painting is a poignant contribution to the Symbolism art movement. Measuring 45.8 x 30.7 cm, this symbolic painting encapsulates Roerich’s profound style and thematic preoccupations.
The artwork portrays a striking scene set against an expansive background of sheer, imposing mountains rendered in hues of blue, white, and pink. Two figures dominate the foreground: a robed woman, seemingly guiding, extends her hand to a man who kneels before her. The towering peaks emphasize the themes of ascension, guidance, and the transcendence of the human spirit. The meticulous use of light and shadow accentuates the ethereal quality of the scene, while the figures’ positioning conveys a narrative of leadership and illumination amidst formidable natural elements.
