Aragats 1925

This black and white drawing shows a landscape with mountains in the background and agricultural activity in the foreground, made by Martiros Sarian, we're not sure exactly when. Looking at Sarian's drawing, I think of the artist's hand moving swiftly to capture the intricate details of the landscape and daily life. Each mark contributes to the depth and texture, creating a rhythmic surface. I imagine the artist considering line, weight, and negative space, all important in abstracting form. The mountains in the distance are like a jagged spine, a monumental backdrop. Then closer in, the fields suggest human work, and community. You can see oxen pulling carts, and people working the land. Sarian was inspired by Armenian folk art, which you can see in his flattened perspective and symbolic color. Ultimately, artists are always in dialogue with each other, echoing and responding to the work that came before.