The artwork titled “And We Labor,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1922, is a tempera on canvas piece that belongs to the Symbolism art movement. It measures 71.1 x 101.5 cm and is categorized as a genre painting within the “Sancta” series. This masterpiece is housed in the Roerich Museum located in Moscow, Russia.
In the artwork, three figures are depicted carrying buckets across a landscape dominated by a fortified structure on a hill. The background reveals a serene yellow sky, which casts a warm glow over the scene. The architecture of the fortified structure, embellished with rounded towers and domes, suggests a traditional or historical context. The figures, dressed in dark garments, appear to be engaged in routine labor, symbolizing perseverance and the dignity of work. The overall composition evokes a sense of tranquility and purpose, characteristic of Roerich’s symbolic representation of human endeavors.