Yerevan 1923

Martiros Sarian made this painting, Yerevan, in 1925, and it's a beautiful example of how color can build a place from the ground up. The first thing that grabs you is that bold, almost Fauvist palette. It's not necessarily about realism, but about feeling the warmth and light of the Armenian landscape. Look at the way Sarian uses these thick strokes of paint, like he’s sculpting with color. The buildings aren't just flat shapes; they have this weighty, tactile presence. And then there’s that splash of fiery red foliage amidst the more muted greens and yellows. It’s like a little explosion of energy, drawing your eye deeper into the scene. It really captures the intensity of the place. Sarian’s work reminds me a little of Matisse in its boldness and love of color, but he brings his own unique vision to it, rooted in his Armenian heritage. Ultimately, it’s a celebration of seeing and feeling the world around us.