Excursions with Museum by name of Nickolas Roerich
3/5, Maly Znamensky
The International Centre-Museum by name of Nickolas Roerich was founded by Svetoslav Roerich as a public cultural and educational centre on the base of the unique heritage of his parents Nickolas and Helena Roerich. In 1990 the heritage was transferred from India to Russia as a gift. The Museum is situated in the very heart of Moscow at the ancient estate of the Lopukhins. This unique architectural monument of the XVII-XIX centuries was restored thanks to the assistance of the public and patrons.
The exposition of the Museum by name of Nickolas Roerich reflects different directions of the versatile creativity, artistic, scientific and public activities of all the members of The Roerichs family — Nickolas Roerich, Helena Roerich and their sons Yury and Svetoslav. Each of them contributed to the treasury of world culture and science. Their life and creativity were based on the ideas of Living Ethics — Philosophy of Cosmic Reality created by Helena Roerich in cooperation with the Great Indian Sages and Masters.
The Museum collection of paintings by Nickolas Roerich is one of the largest in the world. In the Museum Halls a visitor can see the paintings on different themes and created in different periods of artist's life, including such famous series of paintings as «Sancta» («Saints»), «The Banners of East», «His Country», «Himalayas». The artistic collection of the Museum includes also some paintings by Svetoslav Roerich and drawings by Helena and Yury Roerichs.
The exposition of the Museum acquaints visitors with the St Petersburg period of the Roerichs family, their Central-Asian expedition, their life in Kullu valley and foundation of Himalayan Research institute «Urusvaty». Exhibits of the Banner of Peace Hall connected with the history of the Roerich Pact — the first international agreement on the protection of cultural values.
The exposition of the Museum represents photos, documents and manuscripts from the family archive; relics, books and personal things keeping memory of their great owners. One could also see there unique tankas (Buddhist icons on fabric), collections of bronza and art of animal style, rare editions of Living Ethics books.
The Museum regularly organizes exhibitions of modern artists-cosmists as well as thematic exhibitions, concerts and lectures.