Seagull 1901

This study of a "Seagull" was made by Nicholas Roerich using what looks like pencil or charcoal on paper. There's something so immediate about a sketch, isn’t there? You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page. Roerich hasn’t fussed over details here; instead, he’s captured the essence of this gull with loose, gestural marks. I am really drawn to the wing on the upper half of the image, there are so many different marks packed into such a small area, you get the sense of so many feathers creating this organic shape. The limited palette of black and white really helps to convey the texture of the bird’s feathers. The overall effect is one of movement and grace. I am reminded of other great animaliers such as Durer, capturing similar fleeting moments in nature and fixing it on paper. To me, pieces like this are a reminder that art isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing a feeling, an impression.