Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich

Roerich Museum, New York, 1923-1935
Louis and Nettie Horch, New York, 1923-1971
Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
Grange Collection, Paris
Christie's London, Important Russian Pictures, 29 November 2006, lot 165

London, The Goupil Gallery, Nicolas Roerich. Spells of Russia, April-July 1920
Worthing, The Public Art Gallery, Nicolas Roerich. Spells of Russia, July - August 1920
The Nicholas Roerich Exhibition, travelling exhibition to New York, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, St Louis, San Francisco, Cleveland and other locations, 1921-1923
New York, Roerich Museum (permanent collection), 1923-1935

The Goupil Gallery, Nicolas Roerich. Spells of Russia, London, 1920, p.4, no.13
The Public Art Gallery, Nicolas Roerich. Spells of Russia, Worthing, 1920, p.5, no.29
C. Brinton, The Nicholas Roerich Exhibition, New York, 1921, no.24 (titled Cogitations)
F. Grant et al. Roerich, Himalaya, A Monograph, New York, 1926, p.197
Roerich Museum, Roerich Museum Catalogue, New York, 1930, no. 24 (titled Cogitations)

Structural Condition The artist's panel is providing an even and stable structural support. There is a pattern of craquelure visible throughout the composition corresponding to the grain of the panel. This is entirely stable and is not particularly visually distracting. There are a number of very small losses to each of the four framing edges. Paint surface The paint surface is stable with the artist's characteristic dry unvarnished surface. Inspection under ultra-violet light does not appear to show evidence of any retouching. Summary The painting therefore appears to be in very good and stable condition and would benefit from the infilling and retouching of the small losses to the four framing edges.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Executed in 1918.

'Roerich is the only poet of the North,' wrote Leonid Andreev, 'the only singer and interpreter of its mysterious soul'. 1918 saw Roerich living in Finland on the shore of Lake Ladoga where the towering pine trees, islands and cliffs leant themselves to his enigmatic landscapes. It was a year of contemplation and new ideas for Roerich, and the present lot is typical of his paintings from this period, which are often peopled with figures standing on the shore or sitting on rocks, gazing into the distance. The pastel yellow and blue tones are characteristic of his 1918 Karelian series.

We are grateful to Gvido Trepša, Senior Researcher at the Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York, for providing additional cataloguing information.