The artwork named “Sketch of scene from Varangian life,” created by the artist Nicholas Roerich around the year 1890, belongs to the Realism art movement and is classified as a sketch and study. The piece offers a glimpse into the life of the Varangians, an early medieval group known for their sailing and trading activities.
The artwork showcases figures in a dynamic setting, involving boats and individuals engaged in activities along a waterway. The sketch portrays a moment of interaction among these figures, with some preparing or maneuvering boats and others possibly conversing or attending to tasks on land. Rendered in a monochromatic palette, the piece emphasizes the forms and movements of the subjects against a subtly textured background. The elemental quality of the sketch provides a raw and immediate sense of the Varangian life, capturing both the tranquility and the industrious spirit of the scene.