His ancestors belonged to an ancient Scandinavian kin and had settled in Russia at the beginning of the 18th century. His father, owner of the notary's office, was a noted lawyer and a man of culture and great erudition. From the early days, he showed skills for drawing and interest in archaeological digs. In 1901, he married Helena I. Shaposhnikova, who was a grandniece of the famous Russian chief-commander Mikhail Kutuzov.. In the following years Roerichs couple visited over 40 cities closed linked with Russian history, which turned out to be "A journey through antiquity". Nicholas thus got acquainted himself with old paintings, frescoes, arts and crafts, folk songs and tales. The painter created series of works, which widely showed variety and riches of ancient Russian architecture.
His works comprise around 7, 000 paintings and sketches, which can be found in many famous museums and private collections all over the world He created stage decorations, designs and costumes for the most acclaimed theatres and opera houses in Europe and USA. He is an author of a great number of books, countless articles and essays. His deep love for world culture has found expression in the unfurling of the Roerich International Banner of Peace. Its main task was to guard and protect the lofty monuments of artistic and scientific institutions and collections of the creative spirit of human genius from the havoc of war and acts of barbarity. The Pact was signed in 1935 in Washington by 21 countries in the presence of US President F. Roosevelt.
Elder son of Nicholas and Elena was Yuri Roerich, and younger son Svetoslav Roerich, who later married famous Indian actress Devika Rani and was honoured with "Padma Bhushan".
Under Nicolas Roerich's leadership, several institutions and organisations have been founded around the world with the avowed purpose of promoting art and culture. After returning from his famed Central Asiatic Expedition, Nichoals Roerich with his family settled in Naggar, and spent here almost 20 years. He painted the high peaks of the Himalayas, vast lands of Central Asia and its peoples-their history, legends and spiritual traditions. In 1924-28, Roerich undertook a scientific-art expedition through the Himalayas, Tibet, Mongolia and in 1934-35 around Manchuria and China. In 1928, he established the Himalayan Research Institute "Urusvati" in the Kullu Valley. In 1945, Roerich began the preparations to return to his Motherland, but on the eve of his departure, on December 13, 1947, he died.
Mr. Somnath Chaterjee, Hon'ble Speaker of Indian Parliament opened the Roerichs' Museum and Art Club at the RCSC in 2004 when the centenary of Svyatoslav Roerich was celebrated.
