The name of the outstanding world cultural figure, Russian artist, writer, traveler Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich is inscribed in gold letters in the annals of Russian and world culture. The Roerich Pact, signed in 1929 by many states, acts in defense of world cultural values. During his fruitful creative life, the artist painted more than 7 thousand paintings, performed many theatrical scenery and drawings. Roerich's works are recognizable and appreciated all over the world. They sing the power of the human mind and the beauty of nature. Roerich's historical paintings are strong in their indescribable color and visualization of the life of ancient Russia.
Ancient Russia in the paintings of Roerich:
1
Overseas guests (1901)
A bright historical canvas by I. Roerich “Overseas Guests” will open on the list on most-beauty. It is filled with the sun and the cries of gulls. A series of smartly rooks cuts through the blue waves, hilly shores greet overseas guests with peace and quiet. Roerich devoted several works to the theme of travels from Varangians to Greeks. This is one of the most popular stories - an invitation to rule Rus Rurik with the Vikings.
The solemnity and wealth of the caravan of foreigners is not a threat, but prosperity on deserted shores. The poses of warriors dressed in armor are relaxed. They just admire the surrounding beauty of the earth.
2
Rostov the Great (1903)
Nicholas Roerich was one of the first to sing the grandeur and fabulous beauty of ancient Russian architecture. The painting "Rostov the Great" was painted while traveling in the ancient places of Russia. Archeology and the history of the country have always attracted the artist. Even then, he was worried about the state, the dilapidation of historical objects. The artist portrayed the ancient city as fabulous, majestic, as if floating above the ground.
A leaden sky hangs over the city, allowing the rare rays of the sun to break through the clouds. In these rays, powerful walls and towers with loopholes shine with dazzling whiteness. Roerich dedicated a series of paintings to this Russian stronghold with its stunning architecture.
By the way, there is an informative article on the most beautiful cities of Russia on our website most-beauty.ru.
3
Pomeranians. Morning and Pomeranians. Evening (1907)
How did ancient peoples live on the White Sea? We can guess this from ancient tales and legends, as well as from the works of the artist, historian Nicholas Roerich. These two works were written as sketches for frescoes, but they became full-fledged paintings illustrating the life of ancient people. The first picture of the diptych “Morning” is filled with calm, daily worries of the ancient Pomeranians. A mother leads a child by the hand, an old man sits by the wall of a fortification, guys prey on a bird.
The evening is full of mysteries and traditions. A small group of people bask in the fire, and around the blue of the endless forest. At these moments, fairy tales about magic and fearless heroes were born.
4
The Great Victim (1910)
The ballet of I.F. Stravinsky “The Rite of Spring” directed by Diaghilev was a fabulous act. In a dream, the composer saw a sacred circle in which the elders watch the dying dance of a young beauty. Her life is promised as a sacrifice to the god of spring, so that the new year will be rich in harvest. Stravinsky instructed to realize this plan of Roerich, at that time already an eminent theater artist.
The sketch for the ballet “The Great Sacrifice” depicts the composer's plan. On the hills of the northern islands, among the stone labyrinths, eight elders fired a sacrificial fire. A dank wind carries clouds above their heads, and green moss blows cold. For the arrival of spring, a sacrifice is necessary, the elders are preparing to bring it to the capricious deity.
5
Battle of Kerzhenets (1911)
Roerich made sketches for various theatrical productions, created brilliant sketches for N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Snow Maiden” and “The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia”. And also for the second opera, a sketch of the theater curtain was made for the Russian theater season in Paris. A huge panel appeared in front of the amazed audience, on which the Tatars and Russian soldiers came together in battle. Sound greenery, fiery shades of red burst out and the battle came to life with the sounds of music. This curtain caused a storm of enthusiastic emotions, the audience was delighted with the Russian identity, Roerich's unique style.
6
Sky Battle (1912)
The painting "Sky Battle" is written in the style of symbolism. Small size (66 × 95 cm) and modest materials of execution (cardboard and tempera) can not belittle the greatness of the picture, which depicts the riot of nature in heaven. Massive clouds converged over a low horizon in a bubbling battle. The upper clouds are illuminated by the Sun and a powerful radiance emanates from them. The lower layers of blue and lilac clouds swirl, quickly rush above the ground. The artist masterfully reproduced the greatness, indescribable beauty of the nature of the Russian land.
Do not miss, on our site most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article about the amazingly beautiful places of Russia.
7
Procopius the Righteous prays for the unknown floating (1914)
For this picture, Roerich chose cardboard and tempera. These natural materials emphasize the simplicity and righteousness of the hero of the picture. The vast expanses of Russian land with its forests, mighty rivers, along which ships and boats float, are blessed with the cross of Blessed Procopius the Righteous, the patron saint of merchants traveling people. The painting was painted on the eve of the First World War and is the anthem of fortitude, spiritual wealth of Russia.
8
Sorceress (1916)
What does Baba Yaga look like? Few people know. Roerich’s painting “The Sorceress” presents to its viewers an option of how this fabulous heroine might look. A hunched old woman in a picturesque outfit with a stick wanders through the hilly meadows, looking for healing, love spells. A beautiful boundless landscape, a vivid image of a witch, invites Roerich into the fairy-tale world, unimaginably beautiful, enchanting and magical.
9
St. Sergius of Radonezh (1932)
Sergius of Radonezh is the spiritual patron of Russia, who lived in the troubled times of the Horde yoke in the 14th century. He was an opponent of strife, the spiritual initiator of the Battle of Kulikovo. The main feat of Sergius of Radonezh is to raise the fighting spirit of the people to fight against the enslavers. N. Roerich depicted the moment of blessing by St. Sergius of the Russian army to the battle with the Mongol-Tatars. In his hands is a scarf with a symbol of unity of the three principles and a white stone church - a symbol of the future greatness of Russia. Above the head of the elder is the All-Seeing Eye of God the Father, for whom all secrets are open.
At the bottom of the picture, Roerich executed a prophetic inscription in a florid Old Russian script that states that St. Sergius of Radonezh must save Russia three times. The first time - from the yoke, the second time - during the Time of Troubles under Minin and Pozharsky, and the third time ... On the eve of the Great Patriotic War, these were really prophetic words.
10
Igor Campaign (1942)
During the creation of the picture “Igor's Campaign,” Roerich lived in India, and at that time a terrible war was raging on his native land. This picture sounds like an alarm, with a call to unite and rise by all means to defend the Fatherland. The canvas shows the moment when Prince Igor goes on a campaign against the Polovtsy. His army appears during a solar eclipse, an alarming sign foreshadowing defeat.
The reason for the tragic outcome of the battle was civil strife. Only unity, unity will help destroy the enemy. Despite everything, the Russian soldiers go on a campaign in order to defend their land in battle.
Afterword
This was only a small part of Roerich's beautiful paintings about Ancient Russia. But we do not stop there. Below you will see several more famous paintings by a Russian artist, not related to the theme of Ancient Russia. In addition, we advise you to look at the article on the mysterious Shambhala, which was written by Nicholas Roerich in his works.
More paintings by Roerich:
The Pearl of the Quest (1924)
“Drops of Life” (1924)
Panteleimon the Healer (1916)
“And we shall see” (1922)
The Bridge of Glory (1923)
The Victorious Buddha (1925)
“Mother of the World” (1924)
“Milarepa heard” (1925)
“And we open the gates” (1922)
The Last Angel (1912)
The Lord of the Night (1918)
The Burning of Darkness (1924)
“And we work” (1922)
“And we shall not be afraid” (1922)
"Tibet. Mountain Convent "(1923)
“Build Rooks” (1903)
"Mohammed on Mount Hira" (1925)
Guru Flounder (1925)
“Remember” (1924)
No matter how much we would like to continue, we will have to finish this wonderful list of Roerich's paintings. The editors of most-beauty.ru will be looking forward to your comments about Roerich and his work.