Formation of an artist. Correspondence of young Nicholas K. Roerich with professor Vladimir V. Stasov and Leo M. Antokolsky

The analysis of correspondence (1894-1900) between young Nicholas Roerich and his student friend Leon Antokolsky and also his mentor prof. Vladimir Stasov is taken for the basis of this article. The main interest was focused on the study of the formation of attitudes, aspirations, goals, which set itself the young artist and scholar, as well as the identification of the characteristic qualities of the soul. Particular attention was paid to the teacher-student relationships, which will play a significant role in the life of Roerich and his entire future family. The correspondence reflects many of the life and professional priorities of the artist. Preservation of creative originality was always fundamental and vital for Roerich, who defended the right of an artist to be himself in his service to society. Roerich reanimated the image of the artist as a creator, but not just creating something new, but a resurrecting creator who restores life in a seemingly deceased past.