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* 1. ROERICH, NICHOLAS (1874-1947)
Castles of Gesar Khan. 1928, signed with the artist's monogram (lower right); numbered, dated, titled (in Russian), and signed by the artist on the reverse "N 8 1928–1929 / Замки Гессер Хана / N.R.".
Tempera on panel, 21 by 27 cm.
50,000-70,000 GBP
Provenance: Collection of the Roerich Museum, New York, 1929–1935.
Collection of Nettie and Louis Horch, New York, until 1957.
Collection of Dr. Carlos Giro, New York, until 2005.
Acquired from the above by the previous owner.
Private collection, USA.
Thence by descent.
Private collection, USA.
Exhibited: Roerich Museum (permanent collection), New York, 1929–1935.
Literature: Roerich Museum Catalogue, 8th ed., New York: Roerich Museum, 1930, p. 36, nrs. 917–926.
This magnificent painting belongs to the series of ten works created by Nicolas Roerich at the end of his Central Asian expedition in 1928. All works bear the title ‘The Castles of Gesar Khan’. Gesar (also Geser, Gessar, Gesser, Ghessar) Khan was a legendary warrior, popular among the peoples of north-eastern Tibet, Mongolia, and other Central Asian regions, but he is not just a hero of the past. Gesar Khan is a messiah who is to return to this world to defeat the primary Evil in its final battle for supremacy. He is a spiritual and religious hero, fighting demons, both internal and external. He is a central figure for Roerich’s philosophy as per his own admission Gesar Khan and Shambala are inseparable.
During the expedition, Nicholas Roerich and his son George recorded the constant presence of this epic hero in folklore, toponymy, archaeology, etc. In his book Heart of Asia, Nicholas Roerich wrote: ‘Ladakh is regarded as the birthplace of Gessar Khan. <…> Many beautiful and romantic legends and songs dedicated to the great hero, Gessar Khan, and his wife, Bruguma, are told and sung in Ladakh. Here, high on the rocks, you may see a white door leading to the castles of Gessar Khan.’
In these imaginary castles, radiant in the rays of the rising sun, Roerich places his hero on top of the world to guard the human race from its enemies. It’s as if his Kingdom has already come and we, the spectator, have the rare privilege to glimpse that new world free of evil and pain. The Roerich genius, through colour, composition and his own spiritual vision, manages to express the inexpressible Hope and Glory of the Divine.
We are grateful to Gvido Trepsa, Director of the Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York, for his assistance with cataloguing this work.
Notes on symbols:
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Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
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