People (Old man) 1913

Nicholas Roerich made this study of ‘People (Old man)’ with what looks like watercolour on paper. Roerich's mark-making feels immediate, capturing a sense of movement and character through loose brushwork and a limited colour palette. The red accents against the white tunic and skirt create a striking contrast, drawing your eye to the intricate patterns and details of the costume, which seems to me to be the key focus of the artwork. You can feel the texture of the paper beneath the washes of colour. Look closely at the way Roerich suggests folds and form with just a few strokes of paint. The sketchy lines and translucent washes create a sense of depth and dimensionality, even on a flat surface. The way the figure is placed against the white background, almost floating, reminds me of some of Picasso’s studies for the Ballets Russes. Both artists embraced the ephemeral nature of theatre, capturing fleeting moments of beauty and transformation on paper. Ultimately, the work celebrates the magic of theatre, where imagination knows no bounds.