The scene with seven figures in costumes 1920

Nicholas Roerich made this artwork, "The scene with seven figures in costumes," using what looks like ink or charcoal. The mark-making feels almost like a rehearsal, a quick study of form and costume. It reminds me that art isn't always about perfection; sometimes, it's about the joy of the process itself. The monochromatic palette really strips things down. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, the grain pushing through the image. Notice the details on their clothing. Each figure is adorned with unique symbols and patterns. It is a beautiful array of hand-drawn marks and designs, which adds an earthy quality. The expressions on their faces, though simply rendered, hint at a deeper story, a narrative waiting to be unfolded. Roerich was deeply interested in folklore and spirituality, and you can see that in the staged scene, which makes me think of other artists like Hilma af Klint, who also blended the visible world with the spiritual. Art invites us to wander, question, and connect.