Pater-devil 1912

Nicholas Roerich made this tempera on cardboard, titled ‘Pater-devil,’ sometime in the early 20th century. I just love how this character is leaning forward, caught in perpetual motion, with that crazy tongue sticking out. I wonder what he is writing with such urgency. I can imagine Roerich making this, building up the image in thin layers, letting the figure emerge gradually from the ground. There is a real sense of humour here. The colour palette is really muted – mostly browns and blues – which gives it this otherworldly feeling, like something from a strange dream. That long, snaking tongue is so expressive. It’s a gesture that speaks to the devilishness of the figure, his eagerness and hunger for something just out of reach. Roerich’s paintings often have a mystical, theatrical quality, reflecting his work in stage design. He was part of a broad artistic conversation exploring spirituality and symbolism in art. We all take something from each other, don’t we? Painting is always a conversation like that.