Page 38 - AstaGuru Masters Legacy April 2024

Nicholas Roerich

& The Ways

of Nature

Iconic works sold in MADONNA LABORIS THE HEAVENLY BATTLE THE COMMAND

past auctions 33 x 48.8 in (84 x 124 cm) 19.7 x 29 in (50 x 74 cm) 20.3 x 30 in (51.5 x 76 cm)
Tempera on canvas
Tempera and pastel on board, 1909
Tempera on canvas, 1931
Sold for $ 12,094,109 Sold for $ 2,578,987 Sold for $ 1,650,138

Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich was born on
October 9, 1874 in St. Petersburg, Russia and,
despite his father’s objections, joined the Academy
of Art at sixteen. To quell concerns from his lawyer
father about pursuing a career in art, he joined St.
Petersburg University at the same time. Throughout
his life, he resided in various countries including
Finland, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and the
United States of America, eventually settling in India
in 1923. THE SIGNAL FIRES OF PEACE LAO-TZE CONFUCIUS, THE JUST ONE
39.4 x 61 in (100 x 155 cm) 29 x 45.5 in (73.7 x 115.6 cm) 29.5 x 38.5 in (75 x 97.8 cm)
Undoubtedly, all these travels through diverse Tempera & oil on canvas, 1917-18 Tempera on canvas Tempera on canvas, 1925
topographies, witnessing rich cultures and diverse Sold for $ 2,389,530 Sold for $ 2,200,000 Sold for $ 1,248,000
people influenced his work. The most impactful of
his vast oeuvre are his studies of mountain ranges,
especially his depiction of the Himalayas. This
enduring fascination with mountains began when he
saw a painting of a mountain range at a young age.
Only later in life did he discover that this majestic
painting was that of Kanchenjunga and vowed to
someday visit the peak and paint it himself.

Roerich’s paintings of various mountains exhibit
a profound admiration for these natural wonders,
characterised by vibrant colours and meticulous
detail. His ability to convey both the grandeur of
nature and the depth of cultural significance through
his art surpassed other landscape works of the time. AND WE CONTINUE FISHING, FROM SANGACHELING, FROM THE SERIES SIKKIM THE GREATEST AND HOLIEST OF TANGLA FROM
These would in turn inspire generations of artists to THE “SANCTA” SERIES 28.7 x 46.3 in (73 x 117.5 cm) THE “SHAMBHALA” SERIES (ED: 79)
come. He often explored his interest in mysticism and 28.1 x 40 in (71.5 x 101.5 cm), Tempera on canvas, Circa 1922 Tempera on canvas 29 x 46.3 in (73.7 x 117.5 cm), Tempera on canvas, 1929
spirituality, another recurring theme for the artist. Sold for $ 1,927,761 Sold for $ 1,584,695 Sold for $ 1,426,500