“Procopius the Righteous removes a cloud of stone from the Great Ustyug” is a sketch and study created in 1912 by Nicholas Roerich, who is associated with the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. The artwork captures a scene marked by its simplicity and linear focus, characteristic of preparatory studies.
The artwork depicts a landscape filled with dynamic, swirling lines suggesting a tumultuous sky and uneven terrain. In the foreground stands a figure draped in traditional robes, presumably Procopius the Righteous, who appears to be engaging with the elements or the stones scattered across the landscape. The use of pencil creates a raw, unfinished look, emphasizing the provisional nature of the sketch while conveying a sense of motion and mystical intervention. The setting appears barren, with the primary focus being on the action of the figure amid the rocky expanse.
