Intercession of the Theotokos 1903

Nicholas Roerich made this mosaic, Intercession of the Theotokos, for a church in Ukraine. It's hard to nail down the date, but the way the small tesserae create a shimmering surface is really captivating. Roerich's mark-making, especially in the Theotokos' robes, is fascinating. The subtle shifts in blue and the way they catch the light, give a sense of movement and depth. It's almost like the robe is made of water. And the way the figures are arranged around the central figure, feels almost like a stage set. I'm thinking about other artists who played with spirituality and symbolism, like Hilma af Klint, who was also interested in how colors and forms could convey deeper truths. Ultimately, this mosaic shows how art can be an ongoing conversation across time, embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.