Visions from the Other side: Works by Nicholas Roerich is on view from October 5 through November 18, 2016 in the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, University of Richmond Museums. The exhibition features twenty paintings from the collection of the Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York that represent the rich artistic and broad humanitarian contributions that Roerich made to Russian and world cultures. Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947) was recognized as an artist, philosopher, historian, archaeologist, ethnographer, poet, writer, and art critic in his lifetime. He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In his work, Roerich demonstrates the dominant passions that guided his life and work: art, science, and philosophy.
The exhibition, organized by the University of Richmond Museums, was curated by Joe Troncale, Associate Professor of Russian Literature and Visual Studies, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of Richmond. This exhibition and related programs are made possible in part by support from the University’s Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and with funds from the Louis S. Booth Arts Fund. A catalogue, published by the University Museums, is available.
The artist once wrote that “…culture and the achievements of empires have been constructed by Beauty. Take away the monuments of Beauty and the whole aspect of history will be depleted. The virility of Beauty, the age-long inviolability of Culture tells us of the true transmutation of abstraction into manifested life. And we are not dreamers at all, but workers for life, and our apostolate above all is content in that we are striving to say to the people, Remember Beauty. Do not exile its image from life, but also actively call others to this feast of joy!”
Roerich’s work was always directed at broadening the human cultural horizon through understanding and peace. He was prolific and created more than 5,000 artworks and 20 volumes of philosophical writings that advocate the understanding of world cultures, especially in the east. Roerich’s work influenced underground experimentation in painting in Soviet Russia, thus enriching artistic expression there. The exhibition shown at the Harnett Museum of Art will be one of the largest public displays of Roerich’s work in the United States from the Nicholas Roerich Museum.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 6 to 8 p.m.
6 p.m., Lecture, Jepson Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts
“The Life-Creating Principle of Russian Art” Joe Troncale, Associate Professor of Russian Literature and Visual Studies, Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of Richmond
7 to 8 p.m., Reception and preview of the exhibition Visions from the Other Side: Works by Nicholas Roerich
Harnett Museum of Art, University Museums
