Intercession of the Theotokos 1906

Nicholas Roerich made Intercession of the Theotokos using tempera. I see this process driven approach where the artist has clearly allowed the behaviour of the paint to dictate the image. There's a definite materiality to this work, the surface has a dry, almost chalky texture. The colors feel muted, earthly – ochres, blues, and reds all working together. It feels like Roerich wasn't trying to hide the process but to reveal it. In the lower section you can see these rows of figures, they are rendered in such a stylized way, almost like symbols rather than portraits. Each figure is an impression, a suggestion. Looking at the broader picture of his artistic journey, you'll find a similar interest in spirituality, symbolism, and the depiction of landscapes. You might see a connection between Roerich’s quest for spiritual expression and the work of artists like Hilma af Klint, who similarly explored hidden realities through abstract forms. In the end, it is up to us.