The artwork titled “Study to ‘Madonna Protectoris’,” created by Nicholas Roerich in 1933, is a piece that falls under the genre of a sketch and study and is associated with the Symbolism art movement. This preliminary work exemplifies Roerich’s propensity for profound, symbolic imagery.
The artwork portrays a majestic female figure, identified as Madonna, extending her protective cloak over a cityscape. The Madonna is depicted at the center, radiating a sense of divine guardianship and serenity, with architectural elements such as domes and buildings illustrating a sheltered city beneath her expansive cloak. The composition is delicate, with subtle shading and refined lines that emphasize the Madonna’s encompassing and protective presence. The halo above her head accentuates her sanctity and maternal grace, enhancing the overall spiritual aura of the work. The pencil grid suggests that this study served as an exploratory piece for a more detailed final creation.
