Autumn flowers and fruits 1939

Martiros Sarian made this floral and fruit still life with paint, probably sometime in the mid-twentieth century. Looking at this canvas, I’m drawn to how Sarian approaches color. It's like he's not just depicting what he sees but inventing a world of feeling through these hues. You get the sense that artmaking is about creating a reality, not just mirroring one. Now, check out the texture; it's pretty wild. In the thick impasto of the flowerheads, you can almost feel the weight of the paint. Look closer, and you can see how he’s built up the surface with short, energetic strokes. There's one spot, those dark red chrysanthemums, where you can really see the hand of the artist—almost like each dab of paint is a tiny, independent decision. That physical quality makes the painting so alive, so present. It kind of reminds me of Van Gogh, that same emotional intensity through paint, but Sarian's got his own vibe going on. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and feelings across time.