Untitled 1916

This untitled artwork by Nicholas Roerich is an intricate monochromatic architectural fantasy. I love the contrast between the angular forms of the buildings in the distance with the curved archway of the foreground. I can imagine Roerich layering the ink, coaxing out different tones and textures, almost like he's building with his marks, stroke by stroke, decision by decision. You can see a dialogue happening, mark by mark as the artist responds to their unfolding creation, as if the architecture is revealed in a dreamlike, atmospheric way. I'm curious about what Roerich was thinking about, what architectural sites had an impact on him, how he wanted us to experience it. Each tiny line feels like a personal choice, the textures invite you to get up close. Like so many artists, Roerich is in conversation with the architectural forms that he has studied. It is interesting how artists find ways of speaking to one another through their art over time.