The artwork, titled “Sketch of lamp and Tsar-Cannon for Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera,” was created by Nicholas Roerich in 1919. Executed in pencil on paper, this piece belongs to the Symbolism art movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. Currently, it is housed at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City, NY, USA.
The artwork features two distinct sketches. On the left, there is an elegantly simple depiction of a lamp. The lamp stands on a round base and features a flame-like structure at the top. On the right, the Tsar-Cannon is portrayed with detailed attention, resting on a sturdy base, reminiscent of elaborate architectural elements. Both objects are rendered with fine, precise lines, emphasizing their unique forms and historical significance. Through this sketch, Roerich captures the essence of the objects, possibly exploring their symbolic resonance for the opera by Rimsky-Korsakov.
