Nicholas Roerich:
The Mystical Journey

September 19 through December 19, 2004

The ideals and passion for humanity, culture and knowledge shine through the paintings of Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947), in this fine American collection of his works. A famed 20th century painter, Roerich is surprisingly less widely known in the Western world, despite his more than 7,000 paintings and a variety of significant contributions to society.

Roerich possessed the "Renaissance man" qualities of masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, which he demonstrated by taking on a multitude of activities without sacrificing the depth and quality of his artwork. Lawyer, archeologist, set designer, spiritual guide and Nobel Peace Prize nominee were among his many roles and accomplishments.

Roerich's bold, bright, intense paintings, which include historical settings, religious themes, and Himalayan landscapes, all reflect the artist's desire to unite humankind through the common language of beauty and knowledge.

This exhibition features one of the finest private collections of Nicholas Roerich’s paintings in the U.S., bringing together an excellent group of the master’s mystical works. It includes the first Western paintings of Tibet and central Asia, a painting for the opera, Sadko, and a hauntingly iconic painting of the Queen of Heaven.

The Nicholas Roerich Museum displays approximately two hundred of Roerich's works, and keeps them permanently on display for visitors who come from around the world. The mission of the Nicholas Roerich Museum is to make available to the public the full range of Roerich's accomplishments. These are not narrow; they cover the realms of art, science, spirituality, peacemaking, and more.

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