Master order (Master Testament) Roerich N.K. (Part 6)
Roerich N.K. – Master order (Master Testament)
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Location: The State Museum of Oriental Art, Moscow (Государственный музей искусства народов Востока).
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Nicholas Roerich was a very talented artist who painted tirelessly. On his very last day of life, he worked specifically on the painting "The Teacher’s Order." Earlier, in 1927, Roerich had already written "Teacher’s Decree", but 20 years later the master rethought what he had written and changed the original version. Roerich, at the time of writing the picture, had not been in Altai for over 20 years.
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A description of Nikolai Roerich’s painting "The Teacher’s Order
Nicholas Roerich was a very talented artist who painted tirelessly. On his very last day of life, he worked specifically on the painting "The Teacher’s Order." Earlier, in 1927, Roerich had already written "Teacher’s Decree", but 20 years later the master rethought what he had written and changed the original version.
Roerich, at the time of writing the picture, had not been in Altai for over 20 years. But his native lands attracted the artist. He missed his homeland and always considered himself an exclusively Russian artist. He embodied his love for Russia in this work.
In this picture, we see the Altai landscape. The canvas is as if divided into two equal parts. On both sides of the high mountains, and separates them a small mountain river. Water nevertheless sharpens stone, so this low-water rivulet was able to force its way through these stone giants.
The mountains are also depicted in the foreground of the work. They are lower than those in the distance, but they have their own feature. On a small ledge sits a young man. He is wearing a traditional monk’s robe that covers his left shoulder. The monk sits in a lotus pose, his head slightly tilted to the right. He seems to be writing something.
A little higher up, above the monk’s head is a bird. It is a white mountain eagle. It is no coincidence that he is present in this work. This bird carries the good news to the monk. The teacher, the spiritual master of this young monk sent the eagle to tell the great secret. All of Nicholas Roerich’s works are imbued with symbolism. The white mountain eagle is a symbol of good news, a symbol of enlightenment, of goodness. He flew into this world to give people peace.
In drawing the mountains, the master uses soft smooth lines. There are no sharp breaks, which are usual for rocks. This way of painting creates the effect of buoyancy, instability of the Altai Mountains.
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In the foreground, seated on what appears to be a low rise, is a solitary figure. The individual’s posture suggests contemplation or perhaps resignation; their gaze directed towards the distant peaks. Their clothing, rendered in muted tones, blends them into the surrounding environment, emphasizing their isolation within this monumental setting. A bird, depicted with simplified forms, soars above the mountains, its presence adding a dynamic element to an otherwise static scene.
The landscape itself is characterized by sharp angles and geometric shapes, eschewing naturalistic representation for a more stylized approach. The mountains are not rendered as continuous masses but rather as distinct planes of color, creating a sense of depth through overlapping forms. A winding path or river snakes its way through the valley floor, offering a potential route towards the distant peaks, yet also highlighting the considerable distance that must be traversed.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of introspection and the search for meaning within an overwhelming natural world. The solitary figure’s placement – small in scale against the grandeur of the mountains – suggests humanitys relative insignificance when confronted with the immensity of existence. The bird’s flight might symbolize aspiration or a yearning for transcendence, while the winding path could represent the arduous journey towards understanding or enlightenment. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and a profound sense of solitude within an expansive, almost indifferent landscape.