Supported by The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
RU / EN
Supported by The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich

Main name
Эскиз декорации к опере "Князь Игорь"
1910–1920
pastel, pencil and inc on paper
13,6×17 cm
25740 КП
5492 II
Location of the works
The State Museum of Oriental Art

“In 1909, the master begins a suite dedicated to “Prince Igor” by Borodin: In small sketches full of sincere and simple poetry, the artist captures the white cathedral in “Putivl” – surrounded by gray walls, under a blue summer sky, and the wide and dark “Yaroslavna’s tower chamber”, and the “Polovtsian camp” in yellow-red harsh tones, tinted with the despondency of steppe loneliness, as well as the “City Fence”, desert under swirling heavy clouds, where the chainless echo carries the sad voice of Yaroslavna. Together with the sketches of the scenery, sketches of costumes were made, remarkable again for their noble and rich modesty; it contributes so much to the “true tone” of every theatrical spectacle, which is the result of a collective, mutually compliant and delicate work. The artist fell in love for a long time with the beautiful and lyric composition of “The Lay of Igor’s Warfare” and in 1914, we painted new sketches for the “Prince Igor”, as strong as animated in their full, jubilant red, blue, green-golden and yellow tones, as well as agitation of the ancient lay about the secret and menacing acts. Judging by the splendor of painting, these sketches belong to the most glorious ones among the works of the master”.

(S.R. Ernst. N.K. Roerich.)