I recently stumbled upon this painting by Russian Nicholas Roerich (1874 - 1947). It is entitled Compassion, and was painted in 1936.
Here is Nicholas:
It struck me how very similar it is to New Zealand artist Rita Angus's works. This particular one is entitled Mountains Cass, and was painted also in 1936.
Here is Rita. Not at all similar in appearance to Nicholas. I wonder if each knew about the other.
I wonder instead why Nicholas's painting is called Compassion...
ReplyDeleteA wild guess Robert but perhaps he may be referencing European political relationships at that time? I think if I was an artist between wars in Eastern Europe, I couldn't help but be aware of Germany's re-armament, and possible implications, and want to express my feelings about that in my art. I guess you noticed that he has depicted a sweet animal/ person interaction on the right? Also reminds me of Franz Marc... who I posted about here:http://delphine-angua.blogspot.com/2011/03/franz-marc.html
ReplyDeleteSorry. You asked so little and received a deluge. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo, I thank you for the deluge. Without it I would not have spotted the animal/person interaction on the right. Really, all I saw was mountains and rocks. Now "Compassion" makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad of your explanation too because although I saw the animal and the hunter I didn't see that there was someone pulling the arrow out of the animal.
ReplyDeleteI've had mixed feelings about Rita Angus's pictures. Some I love and some I don't. Just like most artists whose works are so diverse I suppose.
Robert. Well, that's all right then! :-)
ReplyDeleteGeeb. Angus is very popular in NZ. Partly, I think, because she explores NZ landscape in a readily assessable way, while retaining its distinctive character(s).