Defense of Bayazet (Doğubeyazıt) 1891

Lev Lagorio’s painting captures the siege of Bayazet. The walls serve as a powerful symbol of defense against the overwhelming forces attacking from the outside. The motif of the fortified wall resonates deeply in the human psyche. Throughout history, walls have represented not only physical barriers but also psychological ones, marking the boundaries between the known and the unknown, safety and danger. We can find it echoed in ancient city-states like Jericho, or medieval castles like those of Carcassone, each a testament to humanity’s enduring need for protection. Consider how the Berlin Wall came to symbolize ideological division and, later, reunification. This universal symbol speaks to our deepest fears and hopes, revealing the continuous thread of human experience. The act of taking arms to defend is a potent, recurring image that taps into our primal instincts. This resonates even today, connecting us to the past through a shared understanding of struggle and survival.