Saint Sergius 1922

Nicholas Roerich painted "Saint Sergius" with tempera on canvas, and, just imagining him layering those egg-based pigments makes me think about the history of painting itself! The colours in this artwork—blues and yellows—pop so joyfully, like stained glass. Roerich’s a fascinating character, kind of a mystic. Looking at this image I can almost imagine him meditating on Saint Sergius and the history of Russia, mixing his paints carefully, layering each brushstroke with intention and care. The paint isn’t too thick, more like a veil through which we glimpse a spiritual vision. The vertical marks of the Saint’s robes speak of a dedication to faith, to something beyond the everyday. Roerich was also interested in theosophy, and I feel that spirit here. Like Kandinsky, or Hilma af Klint, Roerich sought a way to give form to the invisible. Artists like these are always in conversation, trying to conjure something new, while at the same time connecting with something timeless and enduring.