The artwork titled “Boris and Gleb”, created by Nicholas Roerich in 1906, is a religious painting executed in the medium of mosaic. It belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is currently known to be destroyed.
The artwork depicts two saintly figures, Boris and Gleb, riding side by side on a horse. The figures are adorned in ornately decorated garments and halos, signifying their holy status. They are mounted on a robust steed, dynamically portrayed in mid-gallop, symbolizing a sense of divine mission and urgency. Beneath them, a detailed representation of a landscape with buildings can be seen, portraying the architectural and cultural aspects of the period. The overall composition reflects Roerich’s distinct style, merging religious reverence with artistic elegance, characteristic of the Art Nouveau movement.
