Nicholas Roerich Museum

A vast and extraordinary collection of the work of Roerich. I would really urge you to visit if you have any interest in early 20thC mysticism and the descendants of Blavatsky’s vision from this period, like Rudolf Steiner etc. Unfortunately, I feel the influence and importance of the wonderfully intrepid Helena Roerich is significantly unappreciated in the museum and on the website; they were an inextricable partnership who entirely depended on each other, intellectually, spiritually and practically, (one could make an argument for her being the senior partner) and that does not come across at all, which is very disappointing but depressingly predictable. The museum is entirely about enshrining the legacy of Nicolas and there is no broader discussion of the background or context for the development of his work or thought. If you do go I would definitely do some research, and there are some fascinating books on these subjects, as well as plenty to go on online because the museum itself is quite overwhelming on the first visit, even for someone with knowledge of the symbolism and imagery in his paintings.

A very unique — and intimate — museum. A friend and I visited on a weekday afternoon and were literally the only ones there, which allowed us to linger over the art, and take our time exploring the rooms. Nestled on a quiet street in a lovely brownstone with simple white interior walls, it’s a serene, contemplative atmosphere — perfect for viewing the mystical works of a gifted Russian painter, philosopher and peace activist.
Some have complained that there are no guides or audio tours to explain the artwork or more about Roerich’s background and influences. While I normally enjoy this sort of information when I visit museums, I must say that I think it would defeat the whole purpose of this place, which is more of a sanctuary within which one can simply experience Roerich’s art and be transported by it. I personally felt that knowing less about Roerich made him more enigmatic and that this somehow added to the mystique of his paintings.
For those who want to know more about the artist, answers can easily be found on Wikipedia — or in the museum’s quaint gift shop where you can purchase books about him as well as prints and postcards of his paintings.
If you’re an art lover, mystically inclined, or simply an introvert looking for an off-​beat, inspiring spot to spend a quiet afternoon (far from the madding crowd), the Roerich museum is well worth the visit. And really there’s no reason not to check it out — it’s essentially free (though I certainly encourage you to support this wonderful place by offering a donation).

AMAZING! JUST AMAZING! The place runs on donations, and they don’t even ask you for it. However, I did give the suggested amount because I loved it so much. The Museum sits on a perfect spot, the inside is nice, and the painting and sculptures are marvelous. I loved the fact this museum has equal share of Eastern and Western art. Must see!

This tiny museum houses the works of Nicholas Roerich, a Russian who traveled to the Himalayas and painted. I imagine it must have been cold and difficult to paint in the mountains, though the people at the museum didn’t know much about how he actually did it. Perhaps he just painted from memory while cozy in a hut somewhere. He shipped his works back to New York, where I think his family had moved. Their house became a museum. Or I think their house was a couple of streets down and they bought another house nearby to be the museum.
A nice place to visit, and the people there are warm and friendly. I wish they would have given me more of a little lecture on Roerich. I vacillate between three and four stars on this one. I didn’t think the art was that good. Maybe I just need to consider the context more. It is worth a visit because it is specific and unique. It might speak to you if there is a part of you that would like to travel the world and just explore and dabble… during a time period of course when your activities would have been highly new and unusual. Nowadays there is a whole industry taking people to Everest.

This is one of those off the beaten path things to do in NYC. I wanted to do something I hadn’t done before, so I found this museum. Wow, it is in a gorgeous brownstone. The artwork is amazing. I love it. The museum is a pleasure to visit. It’s also free, which is nice, but you can donate too.

What an escape.
Tucked in a quiet street, the museum is housed in a beautiful house. It’s so cozy and serene. It seems like there’s a concert or reading every week, and it’s just a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Simply lovely! The beauty of the paintings and the energy emanating from them will take your breath away. Do not miss this wonderful, spiritual temple of art. Nicholas Roerich was an extremely multifaceted, highly evolved individual. You will get a gimps of his greatness by visiting this place. The website is a great place to plan your visit.

There is no shortage of art on display in New York City, but the venues displaying said art can be daunting. This splendid little museum is tucked away in an Upper West Side townhouse and it could not be lovelier. The venue is quiet and civilized, the collection stunning. Take an hour from your travails and reward yourself with a visit. You will love it.

What a hidden gem of a museum! Housed in a gorgeous old brownstone, this museum presents the works of Nicholas Roerich and his son Svetoslav Roerich, along with a number of artifacts and sculptures from Roerich’s personal collection, many from Asia.
Roerich’s style mixes Russian and Asian influences, and explores religious and mystical themes from both the West and the East. You could run through the entire museum in less than an hour, but you would miss out on really getting to appreciate Roerich’s artistry. I found several paintings that grabbed me and absorbed my attention, and I’ll certainly be visiting them again.
There is a suggested contribution of $ 5 (a bargain), but the friendly staff members will not give you a hard time about it.

I love the Nicholas Roerich Museum. It’s such an inspirational place and should be visited if you are a fan of beautiful, spiritual and mystical paintings. I found out about Nicholas Roerich through articles connected through one of my favorite authors, Torkom Saraydarian. I love the paintings because they have spiritual significance, and they all tell a story. One of my favorite painting is the mother of the world. It’s a painting of the divine mother surrounded by angelic beings and coated in deep tones of blue and violet colors. Depicted with an energy of light emanating from her head and body. Very beautiful!
This place has been on my bucket list of things to do, so I was happy to be able to visit it while in New York.
There’s also a store inside the museum where you can purchase prints of Nicholas Roerich’s paintings as well as his books. The volunteers were also friendly and very helpful considering it’s free entry (or a $ 5 donation).
Be sure to check it out!

Beautiful artwork! We love almost all the paintings here. The admission is free but you can leave a donation if you want. This place is definitely worth visiting. Nicholas Roerich is just one talented amazing painter! This place is a true gem!

When I finally marry a gazillionaire and can start a proper private art collection of my own, I just want the works of Nicholas Roerich, Tamara de Lempicka and Salvador Dali.
Nicholas Roerich was a Russian mystic, painter, philosopher, scientist, writer, traveler, and public intellectual. Unfortunately due to the Cold War and anti-​Soviet propaganda, he is barely known in North America these days but has long been considered a giant in intellectual circles in Russia, Asia and Europe, in the same league as Albert Schweitzer, Rabindranath Tagore and Romain Rolland.
He was an author and initiator of an international pact for the protection of artistic and academic institutions and historical sites (Roerich’s Pact) and a founder of an international movement for the defence of culture. It is under Roerich’s Pact that museums are supposed to be guaranteed safety in times of war and conflict.
A little off the beaten path, the museum sits in the Upper West Side of NYC, not far from Harlem, near Riverside Drive in a great part of town which includes Columbia University, the Riverside Church and St. John the Divine Cathedral.
I make it a point to visit here every time I’m in New York. With maybe 200 of his paintings from a lifetime of over 7000 works, it barely scratches the surface of his legacy but the pieces which are here are very representative of his vision and sense of life. If you like the dramatic minimalistic landscapes of painters like Tom Thomson or even Van Gogh, you’ll enjoy Roerich’s work and the opportunity to examine the huge originals up close and personal.

Fun, lesser known, museum off the beaten path. Nicholas Roerich was an amazingly talented painter, and it’s great to see such a substantial collection displayed so well. Highly recommend.

My roommate took me here on a whim and I still can’t get over how cool this place is. Small and intimate with maybe 10 people in the museum at once, it’s just an awe inspiring place to take in the works of an artist who, up until 2 days ago, I had never heard of. If you’re into dramatic landscapes in stunning color then you must go to this museum. Plus it’s FREE… which is nice.

Housed in a brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this small museum is dedicated to the artwork of its namesake, a Russian who emigrated to the area from St. Petersburg in the 1920s and lived here a number of years before relocating to the Himalayas, where he spent the last two decades of his life. The collection of two hundred pieces includes samples of Roerich’s theatrical designs and a wide array of work produced during his later years. A requested donation of $ 5 is a small price to pay to view his simple scenes ablaze with vivid colors.