Painting by Nicholas Roerich "Ilya Muromets" and other masterpieces

Nicholas Roerich is an amazing person. An artist and writer, philosopher and public figure, researcher and scientist, he is at the origins of not only the whole religious and philosophical teaching, but also special esoteric views on the world space and the culture of the future. The concept of the "era of Aquarius" is also associated precisely with the genius of Roerich.

Mystical artist

Painting is one of the main tools for knowing the world and reflecting this knowledge in material forms. Each painting by Nicholas Roerich is an original look into the past and present, an attempt to comprehend the historical and ethical moments of life. Primordial Russian culture, relations between the East and Slavs - this is the sphere of interest of the artist. He devoted many years to the study of Ancient Russia, its traditions, originality and high spirituality. The poetry of antiquity is fanned by the painting of Nicholas Roerich, “The Messenger” (“The Family Risen”). It belongs to the cycle "Slavs and Varangians." In general, cyclicality is a characteristic feature of the artist’s creativity.

Painting through the prism of history

He works in the chosen direction, trying to penetrate the darkness of centuries, to see and understand what it was like - the original, immemorial Russia, hiding in the darkness of past years. Creating the canvases, the artist relies on factual material, because he is also an archaeologist who goes on expeditions to excavations and therefore is well acquainted with various layers of ancient Russian culture. This is evidenced by the painting of Nicholas Roerich "Red Sails" and another, relating to the pre-Christian period of life of the Russian lands - "Idols." Both of them belong to the "Slavic" series. It was with her that the recognition of the artist by critics and fellow workers and the ardent interest in his work of the audience began. Pagan, pre-Petrine Russia - mysterious, bright, colorful, attractive and sometimes frightening, military and creative, anxious and pacified, many-sided and infinitely loved - so different - appears before our eyes. Therefore, any picture of Nicholas Roerich from the "Slavic" cycle is a real epic about a great people with a great culture.

Rerikovsky "Heroic Frieze"

In the State Russian Museum of St. Petersburg, the painting "Ilya Muromets" by Nicholas Roerich hangs. It was created in 1910 and is part of the “Heroic Frieze” suite. This is a picturesque panel decorating the dining room in the famous Bazhenov house in St. Petersburg. Now in the building is the library named after Chekhov. A panel of panels passed into the ownership of the museum. In particular, Russian folklore was vividly interested in the artist, excited the imagination, served as a source of creative inspiration. Especially important, significant were Roerich figures of national defenders-heroes - Ilya Muromets and Mikula Selyaninovich. They, the legendary Sadko and other heroes of folk epos, were captured in the compositions of the “frieze”. The nameless knight and Bayan, as if having descended from the pages of the “Words about Igor’s Regiment”, Volga and the Nightingale the Robber return the viewer to “affairs of bygone days”. The monumental work is the highest surge of Roerich's fascination with ancient epics.

The image of Elijah

But back to one of the main characters of the frieze - the mighty and glorious Ilya Muromets. As in folk epos, he personifies here the defender of the fatherland and the people, his military prowess and primordial patriotism. Therefore, the hero is depicted in close connection with his land. Therefore, behind the figure of Elijah, rivers and lakes turn blue wherever you look, hills and forests rise, white-stone cities with golden-headed churches are seen. As if being on patrol, he threw his bogatyr up his bow, pulled a bowstring and vigilantly peered into the surroundings. He will notice something suspicious - and a bird will shoot his arrow right at the enemy’s heart. Ilya Muromets rises above all Russian borders, being an unshakable barrier in the way of everything that can bring pain and suffering to the homeland.

Favorite story

Yes, each creative person has them - a favorite topic, an intimate plot - the closest and dearest, corresponding to the deepest movements of the heart and mind, the most subtle moods of the soul. The painting by Nicholas Roerich “Overseas Guests” is a vivid example of this. There are most of the details and motifs passing from canvas to canvas. This eternal wanderers-ships, and the traditional hilly landscape, and the living water element. And even the colorful color is also traditional: blue and green shades, soft, calm tones, so characteristic of North-Russian landscapes. The painting is in Ufa, in the Bashkir State Museum. Nesterova. It is dedicated, according to the artist himself, to one of the most important moments of ancient Russian history - the arrival of Rurik in Russia in the 14th century, and belongs to one of the best creations of the brilliant artist.