The artwork titled “Young men, successors” by Nicholas Roerich, created in 1914, belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and falls under the genre of genre painting. This piece is currently housed in the Horlivka Museum of Fine Arts in Horlivka, Ukraine.
In the artwork, three youthful figures stand side by side, each adorned in ornate, elaborately detailed garments reflecting a majestic, historical attire. Their attire comprises rich colors and intricate patterns with distinctive golden highlights, symbolizing nobility and high status. The figures’ facial expressions are serene and contemplative, suggesting a sense of purpose and destiny. Positioned in a stylized, somewhat flattened space, characteristic of modernist tendencies, the three men embody a blend of spiritual and temporal significance. The background is minimalistic, allowing the elegance of the figures and their ornate clothing to remain the focus. The overall composition conveys a profound sense of tradition and continuity, fitting the theme of succession implied by the title.
