The artwork titled “Karelian study” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1918. It belongs to the Symbolism art movement and is classified as a landscape genre.
“Karelian study” presents a serene landscape featuring muted color tones, particularly blues and purples, which evoke a sense of tranquility and mysticism. The horizon is marked by a series of undulating hills or mountains rendered in deep blue, creating a strong contrast against the pale, almost ethereal colors of the sky and water. The sky dominates the upper half of the artwork, showcasing soft, billowing clouds in shades of lavender and white which gently blend into the lighter background. The simplicity and subtlety in the use of colors and shapes are characteristic of Roerich’s symbolic approach to landscape painting, imbuing the scene with an almost otherworldly calmness and introspection.