Kostroma. Belfry of Ipatievsky monastery. 1903

Nicholas Roerich created this oil on canvas painting depicting the Kostroma Belfry, part of the Ipatievsky Monastery. What’s most interesting to me is how the artist has handled the materiality of paint, with visible brushstrokes building up the architectural forms. Look closely at the textures he's created; you can see the marks of the brush, capturing the roughness of stone and the smoothness of the painted dome. This isn’t just a picture of a building; it’s a record of Roerich’s physical engagement with his materials. The way he’s applied the paint – thick in some areas, thin in others – gives the painting a real sense of depth and solidity. Think about the labor involved, each stroke a deliberate act of construction. Ultimately, Roerich invites us to consider the painting not just as a representation, but as an object in its own right, made through a specific process and imbued with the artist’s own hand.