Genghis Khan 1945

Nicholas Roerich made this painting of Genghis Khan, and right away what strikes me is the texture – it's all about that visible brushwork. Look at the way he's built up the surface of the hillside with these short, deliberate strokes. It’s almost as if each stroke is a thought, a decision made in the moment. I like how the paint is laid down, not blended or fussed over, but left raw and immediate. This approach gives the painting a real sense of vitality. You can almost feel the wind blowing across the Mongolian steppes. I think this kind of directness gives it a real emotional punch, like a good punk song. Roerich’s work reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley, another painter who wasn't afraid to embrace simplicity and directness in his work. And just like a good conversation, this piece makes me wanna go make something myself. It is an ongoing back and forth.