The great sacrifice 1912

Nicholas Roerich created this painting called ‘The Great Sacrifice’ with tempera, possibly during his time living in Russia. Look at the way the sky’s been made, shifting from this pale green to yellow in these thin hazy washes, like he’s layering atmosphere upon atmosphere. It feels like the painting has come into being slowly, intuitively. I can imagine Roerich being deeply concerned with humanity’s relationship to nature, and the need to protect what we have. I mean, look at those figures dressed as animals – are they shamans, mythical beings, or people in disguise? The surface of the painting has a kind of matte texture. It’s not trying to be illusionistic. It’s more like a stage set or a dreamscape, placing us in an enigmatic world. Artists are always in conversation with one another, borrowing and responding to ideas across time. This feels so true here – Roerich’s painting embraces ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own readings and experiences into the mix.