Idols (sketch) Roerich N.K. (Part 1)

Description of the painting "Idols" by Nikolai Roerich

Since 1900, Nicholas Roerich had been working on an intended series of paintings on the "Slavic" theme. The artist was then in Paris, but still managed to embody the images of ancient Russian life that inspired him. As a traveler, he visited places of excavation. Mounds were found in Tsarskoselsky district, where, according to tales, there were pagan places of prayer - temples. Here, according to tradition, animals were sacrificed. Images of pagan religious beliefs Roerich depicted in the painting "Idols" in 1901.

On a high steep hill was built Slavic temple. The sacred place for prayers and sacrifices is surrounded by the natural elements. We see a precipice and a blue river running into the distance. Flocks of seagulls soar peacefully above it. In the distance, the hills are green with dense grass.

The capitol includes several idols - statues of pagan deities. In the center of the circle is a figure of the eldest deity, with smaller statues next to him. All of them are decorated with colorful ethnic ornaments. There is also a large gray stone for sacrifices. The ritual attributes are placed in a circle and enclosed by paling. The tops of logs are hewn into sharp stakes. Skulls of the killed animals, after their sacrifices to gods, are fixed on them.

Roerich did not depict people in the picture. But he perfectly conveyed the pagan atmosphere, taking into account the object world. He studied history, saw with his own eyes the excavated ancient idols, so the embodied on the canvas can be perceived as really once existed. The painting "Idols" takes us back to centuries ago, when the Slavs were closer to nature, worshiped its forces and felt fear of it.

The artist has created a harmonious composition. Vertical lines of paling and high idols stand out noticeably against the natural smooth lines of the hills and the river stream.

In the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, everyone can admire the legendary "Idols" by Roerich.