The “Studies of the chapel mural” are one of the few fully preserved works of the Russian artist Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich in the field of monumental and decorative art. The studies include 14 paintings, which the artist executed in tempera.
Nicholas Roerich created the panels under the significant influence of ancient Russian mural painting, as well as the contemporary Art Nouveau style. The studies for the murals, like all the works of Nicholas Konstantinovich, are deeply symbolic in their content. In order to understand Roerich’s art, one must remember that the main idea of his philosophical and artistic heritage was to improve the world through human self-improvement. To do this, people need to know their origins, history, and live in harmony with nature and themselves.
The artist did not use biblical themes and biblical characters in the studies of the chapel mural. The subject of the formation of Christianity in Russia became the leitmotif of the works. Presumably, the prayer room was supposed to be round; the panel “Master of the House” was probably going to be placed in the center. The panel depicts an elder of an ancient Slavic family.
From the clothes of the elder and the architectural structures in the background, it is evident that the artist studied ancient Russian culture in detail. There are no names in the titles of the paintings. Apparently, the painter did not want to concretize, that is, limit, the images he created.
Everything Roerich did, he did for the future. That is why there is so much symbolism in the panels. The artist was concerned with conveying to the future the idea embedded in the ensemble as a whole, and in each individual painting. The idea is about remembering one’s history, which must be preserved even in troubled, spiritually impoverished times. The national-type bearded elder was supposed to remind of the time when the elderly were especially revered. His image embodies all the saints at once, as well as their wisdom, experience, and ancient traditions.
