The artwork, titled “Saint Sergius (Employees)”, was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1940. It is a religious painting belonging to the Symbolism art movement, executed in tempera on canvas with dimensions of 60.9 x 122 cm. This profound piece is currently housed in the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
In the artwork, a striking contrast is established between the warm hues of the sky and the cool tones of the snowy mountains. Prominent against this backdrop are the figures of Saint Sergius and a bear, both bearing large wooden beams. The serene and contemplative atmosphere invokes themes of dedication, spiritual labor, and the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. Roerich employs a symbolic and mystical approach, typical of his oeuvre, to illustrate the sacred narrative within a majestic and tranquil winter landscape.
