Perm iconostasis 1907

This iconostasis was made by Nicholas Roerich sometime in the early 20th century, though the exact date is not known, and it’s currently housed in the Perm State Art Gallery in Russia. It's fascinating how Roerich's brushwork here feels both reverent and exploratory. There is a lot of gold leaf and gilding in this piece, a material that’s often associated with the divine or sacred. The application here is not about perfection, but about creating a shimmering, almost ethereal effect. Looking closely, you can see the hand of the artist, the subtle imperfections in the gold leaf, and the way the paint is layered to create depth and texture. The most striking thing is the mask of the saint at the center. The bold outline and dark, penetrating eyes draw you in. It suggests both strength and vulnerability. You can see this echoed in the work of artists like Gustav Klimt, who was also interested in spirituality and symbolism. It’s clear that Roerich saw artmaking as a spiritual endeavor.