Illustration for tale of Hovhannes Tumanyan 'Wolf' 1934

Martiros Sarian made this illustration for Hovhannes Tumanyan’s tale of the Wolf with what looks like brown ink on paper. I love the way you can see the lines so clearly - it feels fresh, like it’s just been made. Imagine Sarian's hand moving quickly, scratching out the forms of the wolves, the simple structure of a house, and a frightened character. The lines, all hatched and urgent, really bring this fable to life. I wonder if Sarian was thinking about the stark contrasts in Armenian folk tales, the light and the dark, safety and danger when he made it. There’s a rawness that echoes painters like Paula Modersohn-Becker, but with this unique graphic punch. It’s a reminder that artists keep the creative conversation going, echoing and responding to one another across time and place. For me, this image speaks of storytelling, survival, and how a few well-placed lines can spark a whole world.