A boy named Nicholas was born on October 9, 1874, in St. Petersburg, Russia, to the family of a notary, Konstantin F. Roerich.

Nicholas spent his childhood in a house on the bank of the river Neva and at the suburban estate of his father, which was called Izvara. Everything interested the inquisitive boy: complex designs of the ship masts, a small boat ploughing the flat surface of the river, the words of an ancient song of the times about Tsar Peter the Great (which his grandmother would sing to the children).

The interests of the boy were quite diverse. He learned to read very early and was fond of literature, poetry and theater. The boy also painted with enthusiasm.

When he was nine, a noted archeologist came to conduct explorations in the region and took young Roerich on his excavations of the local tumuli. The adventure of unveiling the mysteries of forgotten eras with his own hands sparked an interest in archeology that would last a lifetime.

ADOLESCENCE

The time of childhood passed, then came the anxious time of adolescence. Nicholas Roerich studied in the gymnasia (in pre-Revolutionary Russia, the secondary school of the highest grade, a preparatory school for universities). At the age of seventeen, he started systematically to devote himself to painting, under the guidance of the Russian painter Mikeshin, who was the first to note the youth’s talent.

In 1893 Nicholas graduated from the gymnasia and began to think about entering the Academy of Arts to pursue a career as an artist, and also to [take classes] in the History Department at the University. However, his father didn’t consider painting to be a fit vocation for a responsible member of society, and he insisted that his son follow in his own steps in the study of law.

A compromise was reached, and in the fall of 1893, Nicholas enrolled simultaneously in the Academy of Arts and in the Law Department (at the sacrifice of the History Department) at St. Petersburg University. Even so, he continued to affirm before his father [his choice of] the Academy of Arts. With dignity, he found the way out of the first serious conflict of his life.

Actually, in the University one could see Nicholas Roerich, the student, more often in the History Department, even though he had to complete his law exams. Later he successfully graduated from the University and the Academy of Arts.

In the Academy his teacher was the highly creative and renowned Russian artist, Arkhip I. Kuinjy, who became Roerich’s teacher not only in painting but also in life.

Early on Nicholas’ student works were notable for their mastery and originality. At the time when he graduated from the Academy, Nicholas Roerich was already quite mature and well-known as an artist.

During his years of study, he not only had to earn a living but had to overcome many other obstacles in life that appeared before him.

TOGETHER

In the summer of 1899, Helena (soon to be Roerich) and her mother visited Bologoye, the estate of her aunt. The aunt’s husband, Prince Putyatin, seriously devoted himself to archaeology. Nicholas Roerich came there on archeological business, but Prince Putyatin was away. Nicholas spent three days at his house waiting for him. From their first meeting, Helena and Nicholas felt a tremendous rapport with one another. They found many common interests in music and art. On returning to St. Petersburg, the youths continued to meet—they visited exhibitions, concerts, spoke of art, philosophy. Soon their rapport and mutual attraction transformed into feelings of deep love. At first Helena’s relatives were against the marriage, but one unusual event helped them. Three times in succession Helena had a dream that her late father said to her, “Helena, marry Nicholas,” and in the last dream he added, “At the Ascension everything will come out right; everything will be well.” And so it was that many years later, Helena found out that it was her spiritual Father, the Great Teacher of Light, who had appeared to her in the aspect of her father.

The marriage was decided, but soon after, Helena and Nicholas had to be separated for some time. Nicholas Roerich had to go to Paris to complete his artistic education, and there was no means by which they could be together. Only after his coming back—on October 12, 1901—were they able to marry.

After that they went through life together, supporting and supplementing each other. In this way an amazing family was born, first through the example of an uncommonly harmonious union, and then through the creation of a totally united family. Every member of the family had remarkable talents, combined with a deep mutual understanding, love and respect for one another.

This text was excerpted from The Roerich Family © 2002 The Eastern Roerich Society, Russia.