Confucius Fair, Nikolai Rerich – overview of the painting 
- Posted by Nikolay Konstantinovich Rerich
- Museum: N. Museum. K. Rericha, Moscow
- Year: 1925
Overview of the painting :
Confucius Fair – Nikolay Konstantinovich Rerich. 1925. Canvas, tempera. 73.8 x 116.9
The East of Nicholas Rerich captivated. Here he sought harmony, culture, which in the understanding of the artist acted as a certain combination of the most valuable knowledge and achievements of mankind. A trip to the East has long been an unattainable dream, and only living in the United States, Rerich was able to find like-minded people to realize an unprecedented company. The Rurich route passed through India, the Himalayas, China, Mongolia, the Tibetan Highlands, and was recognized as a human and scientific feat. Later, this enterprise entered the Golden Fund for the Geographic Discoveries of the Planet.
In the East, Rerich got acquainted with the amazing history of these territories, as well as with their great characters, whose images complemented his cycle under the conditional name “Heroi of the Spirit.”. Confucius was just one of those heroes. The painting “Confucius the Fair” was included in the series of works of the “Family of the East”. It should be noted that Rerich cannot be reproached for not patriotism – a great many of its canvases are dedicated to Russian original heroes. However, in his attitude to the personalities, the author did not tolerate any state or natural limits – he sincerely admired those who deserved admiration.
Confucius in the picture is not a wise Teacher, in whose eyes a secret is hidden, but a man who is persecuted. He travels in his small arms, humbly accepting his fate, how difficult it was. In the pre-warned fog, the chariot slowly rolls along the mountain road. A noble husband looks at the world calmly – he is not aware of any fear or concern. Once he wanted to convey the command of Heaven to rulers, so that his people would become happy, but no one understood the high aspirations of the Master. On the wagon itself, you can see two characters that indicate the wishes of the Good.
The technique of the master speaks of the desire for simplicity – clear lines, simple forms, intense, clean colors. Mystery is introduced only by the image of the fog on the middle plane, from which the uneven rocky rock peeps out. The sky, as usual, is a living, dynamic artist, written in thick color.
Rerich himself can also be compared with Confucius as a wanderer in exile. Being a traveler and ethnographer, curiously related to everything, Nikolai Rerich wholeheartedly sought his homeland, where after the revolution he did not find a place. Dying, the artist bequeathed to his son so that he would transfer all the accumulated materials to Russia, and this was a real feat for the descendant – Rodina did not want to hear about her outstanding husband. Today, Rerich is recognized throughout the world as an amazing person who has left his mark on art, geography, philosophy, religious studies, archeology, oriental studies and many other sciences.