The artwork titled “Dancing (Horovod)” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1903. This piece is rendered in watercolor on paper and measures 12.5 by 16.5 centimeters. It falls within the Art Nouveau (Modern) art movement and is categorized as a genre painting. The artwork is housed in the Bashkirian State Museum of Fine Arts (Nesterov Museum) in Ufa, Russia.
The artwork portrays a traditional scene where a group of people is engaged in a communal folk dance, known as Horovod. In the foreground, one can observe a circle of dancers dressed in traditional attire, hand in hand, epitomizing a lively and rhythmic movement. The expressions and poses of the participants convey a sense of unity and collective joy. The background reveals a village setting with rustic huts, further grounding the artwork in a rural context. Behind the dancers, a group of individuals appears to be seated, possibly watching or preparing to join the dance. The watercolor technique imparts a fluid and soft quality to the scene, enhancing the depiction of movement and the ethereal atmosphere characteristic of Roerich’s work. The choice of delicate colors and attention to detail in traditional garments reflect the cultural significance and festive spirit of the dance.
