The scene with three figures in costumes 1920

Nicholas Roerich made this ink drawing of three figures in costumes at an unknown date. I am imagining the artist carefully rendering each line to depict the intricate patterns and textures of their traditional garments. There's a formality to the figures' posture, yet the rough marks of the ink give a sense of liveliness to the sketch. I suppose Roerich may have been trying to capture a sense of cultural identity and perhaps the enduring spirit of the Russian people. The costumes feel emblematic of a particular time and place, but the use of ink gives the drawing a timeless quality. It reminds me of how artists are in an ongoing conversation across time, inspiring one another's creativity. There is an ambiguity in the piece that allows for multiple interpretations, and that is exciting.