Human ancestors 1913

Editor: "Human Ancestors," painted by Nicholas Roerich in 1913. Oil on canvas. Looking at this, I'm struck by the sort of wistful, fairytale atmosphere. It's like a scene from an ancient folk tale. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It feels to me like Roerich is trying to tap into a collective memory, or perhaps even invent one. I can almost hear the primordial melodies floating on the wind, just like the figure is playing there. Note the choice of colors and the stark planes that emphasize the landscape. But what's the flute-player actually summoning? Are they bears or merely the shadowy form of the unknown? Editor: I think you are spot on. There's a figure with a flute who looks like he is charming wild animals such as the bears depicted. Perhaps summoning is the purpose. It's interesting that Roerich would go in that direction in 1913 – just before the world wars. What does that context say? Curator: Perhaps it is escapism or even a form of protest by glorifying nature when mankind was on the cusp of total destruction? Consider that he belonged to a very distinct art movement that saw art as an expression of spiritual and philosophical beliefs. What he may be saying to us is, "Go back to the beginning, when we lived in harmony with nature, before we developed all these complicated social systems that led to wars." I bet you it makes him feel good just imagining a distant idyllic past. Editor: Right! This has given me so much food for thought about how we look to the past and re-interpret it based on our present circumstances. Curator: Me too! Each viewing unveils fresh layers of reflection and emotional nuances in the painting. A reminder that the art we behold speaks also of ourselves.