Saint Nicholas 1916

Nicholas Roerich paints Saint Nicholas with oil on canvas. The color is so evocative. Like a stage set, the picture plane rises up to meet us, placing Saint Nicholas on a hill with bright stones, a church and what looks like a fortress in the distance. I imagine Roerich building up the paint, layer upon layer, working through what to keep and what to take away. I can almost see him, squinting at the canvas, brush in hand, figuring out how to make those rocks really *pop*. Look at the way the brushstrokes on the saint's garments create texture! It’s a beautiful, controlled mark that gives the fabric depth. It reminds me of when I get into the zone in my studio, when I am completely absorbed in what I am doing. I think artists like Roerich are always in conversation with the work of other painters throughout time, borrowing and sharing ideas. His art is ambiguous enough to let your mind wander, inviting you to bring your own thoughts and emotions to the scene.