Idols (sketch) Roerich N.K. (Part 1)
Roerich N.K. – Idols (sketch)
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Location: State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (Государственный Русский Музей).
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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.
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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.
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Behind this imposing barrier lies a landscape characterized by a deep blue body of water meeting a green hillside under a cloudy sky. A few birds are visible in the distance, adding a touch of scale to the vastness of the scene. The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing earth tones contrasted with the cool blues and greens of the background.
The arrangement suggests an enclosure or sacred space, hinting at ritualistic practices or a place of veneration. The repetitive patterns on the vertical forms could symbolize beliefs, ancestral lineages, or perhaps even a codified system of knowledge. The animal figures – rendered in bright yellow – appear to be emerging from or interacting with these structures, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between the natural world and the constructed environment.
The overall effect is one of mystery and isolation. The dense arrangement of forms creates a sense of impenetrability, while the muted colors contribute to an atmosphere of solemnity and introspection. One might interpret this as a depiction of a culture deeply rooted in tradition, guarding its beliefs from outside influence or perhaps reflecting on the relationship between humanity and the forces of nature. The sketch-like quality of the execution – evident in the visible brushstrokes and simplified forms – adds to the feeling of immediacy and authenticity, suggesting a direct observation or memory being captured.