Portrait of Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I 1959

Martiros Sarian painted this portrait of Catholicos Vazgen I, likely in the mid-20th century, using traditional oil paints on canvas. Sarian’s painterly approach is immediately evident in the visible brushstrokes and the textured surface of the canvas. Look closely, and you can see how he built up layers of color to create depth and form. The materials themselves—pigments ground into oil, applied with brushes—are relatively straightforward. But it’s Sarian’s skill in manipulating these materials that gives the portrait its richness and presence. The way the artist has handled oil paint is incredibly important here. It’s a craft tradition, passed down through generations of artists, and it requires a deep understanding of color theory, composition, and technique. By engaging with this tradition, Sarian elevates his work beyond a simple likeness, and infuses it with a sense of history and cultural significance. This demonstrates how even the most conventional materials can be used to create art that speaks to broader social and cultural issues.