Scenery sketch for Mussorgsky's opera "Khovanshchina" 1919

This pencil sketch by Nicholas Roerich is a preparatory drawing for a stage set for Modest Mussorgsky's opera "Khovanshchina". Created in 1919, the drawing captures the grandeur and complexity of the opera's setting. Roerich, known for his theatrical designs and mystical landscapes, utilized his distinctive style of linear hatching and shading to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. "Khovanshchina" is a powerful work that explores themes of political intrigue, religious conflict, and the fall of a powerful dynasty.