Nikolai Konstantinovich Roerich, also known as Rerikh, was born on September 27 (October 9) 1874 in St. Petersburg and passed away on December 13, 1947 in Naggar, India. He was a Russian artist, set designer, mystic philosopher, writer, traveler, archaeologist, and public figure. In 1909, Roerich became an academician of the Imperial (Russian) Academy of Arts. Throughout his life, he created around 7,000 paintings, which are now housed in renowned galleries worldwide, and authored about 30 volumes of literary works, including two poetry collections. Roerich was the initiator of the Roerich Pact and founded the international cultural movements 'World through Culture' and 'Banner of Peace.' He received numerous awards both in Russia and abroad.

During his Russian period, Roerich engaged in archaeology and collecting, successfully exhibited as an artist, participated in the design and decoration of churches, served as the director of the school of the Imperial Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, and led the art association 'World of Art.' He also actively participated in set design for the 'Russian Seasons' and in projects aimed at protecting and reviving Russian antiquity, as well as in charitable organizations.

Since the 1920s, societies and museums dedicated to Roerich have begun to emerge worldwide. His followers formed the Roerich movement, based on his ideas and the religious-philosophical teachings of Living Ethics (Agni Yoga). Roerich's ideas significantly influenced the development of the New Age movement in Russia.