Nikolay Kogostantinovich was born on the 27th of September (9.10.). The father of the future artist was a notary, and in his veins the blood of the ancient Vikings flowed. To history, literature and music, the boy became addicted at home, as well as while studying in a private gymnasium. He was lucky to take part in archaeological excavations, where he touched the antiquity personally. Roerich collected a magnificent collection of ancient rarities, which included more than 30,000 exhibits. In parallel, he studied law at St. Petersburg University and the Academy of Arts.
In the formation of his personality, a significant role played by artists AI Kuindzhi and IE Repin, as well as critic and art historian V. Stasov. The first series of paintings by Roerich was dedicated to Slavic Russia. This and the "Overseas guests", and "The City Build", and "Slavs on the Dnieper." One of the paintings was acquired by a well-known patron of arts P.Tretiakov. Roerich continued his studies in Paris.