The artwork, “Scenery sketch for Mussorgsky’s opera ‘Boris Godunov,'” was created by Nicholas Roerich around the year 1920. This piece falls within the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is categorized as a sketch and study.
The artwork presents a preliminary sketch for a stage set, envisioned for Modest Mussorgsky’s opera “Boris Godunov.” Executed in pencil, the composition outlines an architectural setting with arched doorways and structural elements that suggests an interior space. The lines are soft and explorative, indicative of a study rather than a finished piece. Faintly sketched figures are discernible, likely serving as placeholders to give a sense of scale and activity within the scene. The overall atmosphere of the sketch is one of detailed preparation, capturing the essence of Roerich’s vision for the opera’s scenic design.
