The artwork, titled “Issa and Giant’s Head,” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1932. It belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of religious painting.
The artwork presents a surreal landscape dominated by a massive skull on the left side, which seems to be carved into a rocky formation. A figure, likely representing Issa, is depicted in the center, glowing with a halo around the head, emphasizing its religious connotation. The color palette is dominated by vivid hues of purple, orange, and green, creating a mystical and otherworldly atmosphere. In the background, jagged mountains rise under a twilight sky, with the green river winding through the rugged terrain, further enhancing the painting’s symbolic and enigmatic nature. Through this composition, Roerich’s piece evokes themes of contemplation, mortality, and spirituality.
