Victory (Gorynych the Serpent) 1942

"Victory (Gorynych the Serpent)" was painted by Nicholas Roerich with tempera on canvas. Roerich's choice of tempera, a fast-drying paint, lends itself to the crisp, almost poster-like quality of the scene. The paint allows for clean lines and flat areas of color, crucial for depicting the stark contrast between the icy mountains and the fiery sky. This creates a stylized, otherworldly atmosphere that emphasizes the mythical nature of the subject matter. The application of tempera also speaks to a larger social context. Unlike oil paints, which required extensive preparation and specialized knowledge, tempera was a more accessible medium. This resonates with Roerich's interest in democratizing art, while also pointing to the laborious artistic processes required to prepare the raw materials. Ultimately, the materials and methods used in "Victory" invite us to reconsider the relationship between fine art and craft, pushing the boundaries of traditional art history.