Sketch of book cover 'Martiros Saryan' 1935

Martiros Saryan created this sketch for a book cover using watercolor and gouache. These materials allow for luminous colors, but also a degree of control. You can see this especially in the fine lines of the leaves, and the way the artist has built up depth of color in the petals of the flowers. Saryan's technique here is rooted in the traditions of both fine art painting and illustration. Watercolor, for instance, has long been a favored medium for botanical studies, prized for its ability to capture the subtle nuances of plant life. And yet, there's also a distinct stylization at play here, a flattening of form that recalls the graphic arts. The flowers themselves are rendered with a graphic economy, and the image is clearly intended for reproduction on a book cover. Ultimately, the artwork's charm lies in this tension between artistic expression and the demands of commercial design. It reminds us that even in the realm of mass production, there is room for individual creativity and skill.