The artwork titled “Idols” is the creation of artist Nicholas Roerich, dating back to the year 1901. It was executed using gouache on cardboard as the mediums, and the piece is associated with the Art Nouveau movement, often characterized by its modern and stylistic designs. This particular genre of Roerich’s work falls under the landscape category, depicting natural scenery as its main subject.
“Idols” presents an enigmatic and solemn landscape dominated by towering sculptural figures that appear as totemic idols. These figures, etched with decorative patterns, are silhouetted against a twilight sky. They stand atop a series of jagged rock formations, which lend the scene an almost sacred or mystical quality. The landscape unfolds in deep, muted tones, implying a time of either dusk or dawn, where the light is limited and creates a sense of quietude and introspection. Below the idols, hints of golden light drape over the rocks, providing a rich contrast to the predominantly dark palette of the artwork. The composition extends to a distant horizon where a serene body of water reflects the subdued light and a series of hills fades into the background. The harmony of natural forms with the crafted idols articulates a narrative that suggests reverence for the natural world and its mysterious powers. Roerich’s use of color, line, and form in this artwork showcases his ability to evoke emotion and thought through the convergence of nature and human cultural expression within the Art Nouveau style.
