![NIKOLAI KONSTANTINOVICH RERIKH [ROERICH]
(1874-1947)](https://www.christies.com.cn/img/LotImages/2001/NYR/2001_NYR_09760_0178_000(033839).jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
On March 24, 1924, the Roerich Museum opened to the public.
"Among the works on display...was the Sancta series. The title of each painting in the series begins with the words And We suggesting not only that the works are connected, but that taken in sequence, they tell a story: And We Are Opening the Gates, And We Do Not Fear, And We are Trying, And We Continue Fishing, And We are Bringing The Light, And We See... The Sancta series relates a spiritual journey. The Travelers on this journey are monks garbed in long, hooded black robes, their faces indistinct. The setting of all the works is Russia...
"And We Do Not Fear depicts a wintry landscape; snow blankets the hills, the rocks, and a northern Russian wooden church in the distance. Two monks stand in the foreground; approaching them is a large brown bear. The painting would resemble a contemplative, Kuinji-esque winter landscape were it not for the background, where a helmet-shaped mountain looms large. The top of the mountain is lavender, suggesting the reflection of the rising or setting sun on the snow. The lower part of the mountain is in shadow and the shapes formed by these shadows are ominous, as if cast by an approaching but unseen evil enemy. The monks, however, show not the least apprehension. The power of the spirit, Roerich seems to be saying, will prevail over the forces of darkness in the end..." J. Decter, Nicholas Roerich, (London, 1989) p. 123
"Among the works on display...was the Sancta series. The title of each painting in the series begins with the words And We suggesting not only that the works are connected, but that taken in sequence, they tell a story: And We Are Opening the Gates, And We Do Not Fear, And We are Trying, And We Continue Fishing, And We are Bringing The Light, And We See... The Sancta series relates a spiritual journey. The Travelers on this journey are monks garbed in long, hooded black robes, their faces indistinct. The setting of all the works is Russia...
"And We Do Not Fear depicts a wintry landscape; snow blankets the hills, the rocks, and a northern Russian wooden church in the distance. Two monks stand in the foreground; approaching them is a large brown bear. The painting would resemble a contemplative, Kuinji-esque winter landscape were it not for the background, where a helmet-shaped mountain looms large. The top of the mountain is lavender, suggesting the reflection of the rising or setting sun on the snow. The lower part of the mountain is in shadow and the shapes formed by these shadows are ominous, as if cast by an approaching but unseen evil enemy. The monks, however, show not the least apprehension. The power of the spirit, Roerich seems to be saying, will prevail over the forces of darkness in the end..." J. Decter, Nicholas Roerich, (London, 1989) p. 123