Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947)

The present work is a study for Terra Slavonica, a seminal work the artist executed while living in Kullu Valley with his wife. Kullu Valley lies on the border of Lahaul and Tibet and served as home and inspiration for the Roerichs from 1928-29. Based on the image of the final Terra Slavonica, we can assume that this study was completed during Roerich's time in Kullu Valley. Of the two bells featured in the upper half of the composition, the découpage bell is the one Roerich recreated in the final painting. Découpage details are rarely seen in Roerich's works. The study provides viewers with crucial insight into the work's compositional evolution and more importantly, Roerich's mindset during its creation.

Terra Slavonica was presented to the King of Yugoslavia in 1932; its current wherabouts are unknown, which only increases the significance of this truly unique work.

We would like to thank Gvido Trepsa, Senior Researcher at the Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York for his assistance in cataloguing the present work.