Uglich. Church of prince Dmitry. 1904

Nicholas Roerich made this painting of the Church of Prince Dmitry, probably with oils, and with a kind of frank directness. It's interesting how Roerich uses a limited palette—earthy reds, greens, and creams—to create this monumental structure. The paint looks fairly matte, no glossy sheen here, which gives it a grounded, almost fresco-like quality. The texture seems smooth, not much impasto, but you can see the brushstrokes defining the forms, especially in the way he models the shapes of the building. Look at the way the architect is using the cream color to outline the structural elements, there's an almost diagrammatic approach to the way the painting is put together, like he's building the church right in front of your eyes. It reminds me a little of early Marsden Hartley, in its simplified forms and almost naive handling. Ultimately, it emphasizes the act of seeing and building, both literally and metaphorically.