The artwork, titled “Study to ‘Flying Carpet'”, was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1915. It belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and falls within the genre of sketch and study.
In this preliminary drawing, the artist uses simple, fluid lines to depict a scene of two figures seemingly engaged in flying on mystical carpets. The outlines are soft and unembellished, characteristic of a study rather than a finished piece. The figures appear to be in motion, capturing a sense of movement and adventure. In the foreground, one figure lies prostrate on the carpet while another figure in the background extends an arm forward, lending a dynamic quality to the composition. The landscape below is suggested with minimal lines, focusing the viewer’s attention on the airborne figures above. The whimsical nature of the scene emphasizes a sense of fantasy and exploration, central themes often found in Roerich’s broader body of work.
