In 1909–1910, Roerich executed a series of decorative panels for the mansion of industrialist and honoured citizen of St Petersburg Filadelf Bazhanov. The house was built according to a design by architect Pavel Alyoshin in 1907–1908. The interiors of each of its rooms were uniquely designed, but the theme of heroic Old Russia dominated. The Parlour had a Volga and Mikula majolica fireplace based on a sketch by Mikhail Vrubel.
The Bogatyr Frieze was in the Grand Dining Room. The series consisted of 8 thematic compositions and 12 smaller canvases with botanical designs for the window apertures. All of the work was done in tempera on canvas.
Currently the Bazhanov House (72 ul. Marata) houses the St Petersburg Children’s Library of History and Culture (while during Soviet times it was the home of the Chekhov Library).
