Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich is known throughout the world for his artistic genius. In addition, he showed his creative abilities in literature, was fond of archeology, traveled a lot and was engaged in active social activities. However, few people know that Roerich is the founder of his own religious-mystical movement. His studies in the occult sciences and regular spiritualistic sessions served as the reason for the excommunication of the artist from the church.
Nicholas Roerich painted his whole life. There are more than 7000 copies, not counting the numerous sketches for mosaic complexes and frescoes in various temples and churches. The artist traveled to an incredible number of countries, which was reflected in his works. A big imprint on his whole life was left by the philosophy of the East.
Many mysteries and uniqueness were presented to the whole world by Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich. The paintings he painted in his young years are significantly different from later paintings, but this does not detract from their artistic value. His first significant work in the world of art was The Messenger.
"Risen clan to clan" (1897)
Talent literally escaped from Roerich while defending his diploma. The painting "Risen clan for clan" made a splash. Tretyakov himself bought it for his gallery. Enthusiastically spoke about the picture of Leo Tolstoy. Using the plot from the Gospel of Matthew, through his "Messenger" the young Roerich conveys a message to all the people on behalf of Christ. In a farewell cry that wars, diseases and catastrophes are coming. The famous critic Stasov said then: "Tolstoy will understand what news a messenger is in a hurry with."
"Idols" (1901)
Just 4 years after the first major success, a new Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich appears before us. His paintings are becoming more plot and fantastic, all the details are drawn more clearly and more confidently, in comparison with the author's early works. His "Idols" is the embodiment of pagan thoughts and images, inspired by archaeological expeditions.
A palisade with animal skulls strung together, and a pensive elder-seer wanders lonely between the figures of silent idols ... This story was continued by other works, for example, “The Evil” written in the same year.
Prophecy of Roerich
Pictures of Nicholas Roerich (with names) are presented in many domestic and foreign catalogs. Among them there are famous and not so. There are at least two works that are considered prophetic - The City of the Condemned and Scream of the Serpent. Both paintings were painted one by one in 1914, shortly before the revolution. Soloviev, Roerich’s friend and critic, wrote that the author’s works echo the ancient parable of Babylon.
Nicholas Roerich writes paintings, playing with contrasts. So it is here: against the backdrop of a fiery sky and a serpent, which encircled the city from all sides, gloomy gray walls of fortresses rise. In this author's hopelessness is the inevitability of an imminent revolutionary wave.
Heavenly fantasies
Nicholas Roerich necessarily framed paintings with the outline of the clouds. He gives them a special place in his works, and sometimes even assigns a major role. For example, the picture "Command of the sky." Roerich in his literary memoirs describes the clouds as something special that he remembered from early childhood. Possessing a wide creative imagination, in the eternal movement he constantly noticed something new: heroes, horses, dragons.
In the painting "Command of the Sky", people play a secondary role, praying with their hands up. The game of clouds is noticeable on many other works of the artist, such as "Three Crowns", "Sky Battle" and others.
Saint Panteleimon
The artist Nicholas Roerich often paints paintings according to biblical subjects or folk legends. Interestingly, his work "Panteleimon the Healer" about a skilled healer, herbalist. But here it is not clear where the boundary between heaven and earth passes. And here and there you can see special landscapes. Against them, Panteleimon is just a part of nature. Medicinal herbs emit light in the night depths. The long beard of the herbalist flutters and mixes with the wind. Nature and man are one - this is the main idea of ​​this picture.
Roerich and the North
Wherever he traveled, no matter what country he visited, the restrained northern beauty was always loved and appreciated by a native of St. Petersburg Nikolai Roerich. The paintings (photos are presented in the article), which he painted all his life, mostly convey the landscapes of his childhood.
"Holy Island" demonstrates all the power and inaccessibility of Balaam, whom the artist met in 1906. There are no ordinary people. Everything is sacred on the island, from man to stone. It seems that everywhere the outlines of faces are visible, and the people themselves are decorated with nimbuses.
Eastern philosophy
Nicholas Roerich gave many years of his life to the East. His paintings are often thoroughly saturated with a special philosophy. On all eastern subjects - people with their own customs, worldview, striving for light and tranquility. Roerich endows each painting with a soul, which is not understandable to everyone, but attracts a unique charm.
The variegation of the Himalayan mountains seems artsy and far-fetched for those who have not seen them in nature. The artist was so fond of in the East, so related to him that even on his tombstone there is an inscription about his friendship with the Indian people.
At the end of his life, Roerich, permeated by Eastern culture, adopted Lamaism - the religion of death, accepting it as something natural, but requiring destruction. This pagan faith is characterized by sacrificial offerings with an abundance of blood. But, along with this, faith in the bright lived in Roerich. This is evidenced by his paintings, which became a Russian heritage, a heritage transferred by a brilliant artist to a great country.