Considered by some to be the origin point of Indian expressionism, Svetoslav Nikolayevich Roerich was a Russian painter based in India. He established ‘Chitrakala Parishad’ in Bangalore in 1972, serving as the Honorary President. He is also the recipient of Padma Bhushan. Svetoslav Roerich passed away in 1993.
Svetoslav Roerich Artwork Theme
Roerich was known for his portraits. To him, portraits weren’t a mere copy of the subject. A good portrait describes the subject – their character, personality, emotions, and spirituality. These are the sacred elements which aid the painting to come alive. His wife, Devika Rani was the subject of numerous portraits. He has also painted Prime Ministers Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. These paintings can be seen in the Central Parliament Hall.
Roerich took to nature as his muse. During this time, he dabbled in the landscapes. India was a treasure chest of diversity, beauty, and culture. His paintings have often depicted mythical and divine figures. He combines them to showcase nature’s spirituality and its ties with humanity. His paintings are seldom compared to the melancholy tones of Amrita Sher Gill. His broad range of subjects and choices deemed him an experimental figure in the Indian art scene.
King Solomon, 1923
After he visited Italy in 1923, he was infatuated with capturing the essence of prominent spiritual and religious leaders of the time. In the painting, King Solomon is seen wearing the ring bearing the emblem of the Star of David. He is holding a chalice, while the Temple of Jerusalem stands in the background. This Svetoslav Roerich artwork is not to be treated as a historical reenactment. Instead, it narrates Solomon’s sacrifice to build the Temple of Jerusalem. It is said that Roerich modelled the image after his father. Therefore, one may comprehend both figures and an epitome of wisdom, wealth, and unbounded power through knowledge.
Untitled, 1946
Devika Rani also known as the ‘First Lady of Indian Cinema’ and the ‘Indian Greta Garbo’, was a frequent subject of Svetoslav Roerich paintings. In the portrait, she is seen wearing a yellow saree and holding a bouquet of flowers. His painting imbibed her with divinity, almost like an angel. This artwork reincarnates Devika Rani as a spiritual figure, which explains why Roerich was besotted with her.
Photo Courtesy – The Hindu
The Indian Narrative: Artworks within India’s New Parliament
