“Birches,” an artwork by Nicholas Roerich, was created in 1905 using pastel, paper, and tempera. It is associated with the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is a landscape piece with dimensions measuring 51 by 33 centimeters.
The artwork portrays a serene forest scene dominated by tall, slender birch trees. The artist has utilized a palette of greens, whites, and blacks to render the trunks and foliage, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The birch trees, with their characteristic white bark and various markings, stand closely packed, their vertical lines drawing the viewer’s eye upwards. The canopy above is suggested by splashes of green, indicating leaves and branches, while the forest floor is subtly hinted at by the darker tones and shadows near the bottom. The overall effect is one of tranquility and natural beauty, reflective of the Art Nouveau movement’s emphasis on natural forms and intricate details.
