Putivl. Eclipse. 1914

Nicholas Roerich painted Putivl. Eclipse. with tempera in an unknown year. Look at how Roerich lays down color; it’s as if each brushstroke is a conscious decision, building up to a layered effect. It makes you think about the physicality of artmaking. The city is set against a gorgeous night sky, the church and surrounding buildings are almost fairytale-like. The texture is also interesting. It's not about replicating reality, but about creating a feeling. The stars are more like specks of light, almost playful in their arrangement. The way he’s rendered the clouds gives the sky a dynamic, almost turbulent feel, yet there’s a stillness in the buildings. It’s a strange contrast, isn’t it? This reminds me of Hilma af Klint. It’s like these artists are in conversation across time, exploring the unseen through paint. This piece shows how art can be ambiguous, a space for multiple interpretations, not just one fixed meaning.