Armenia 1959

Martiros Sarian created this painting, titled Armenia, with oil on canvas. The visible brushstrokes are a testament to the labor involved in its creation, a manual process that connects the artist directly to the canvas. Sarian masterfully uses the materiality of oil paint to evoke the Armenian landscape. The colors—predominantly yellows and blues—are laid down in broad, flat areas, creating a sense of depth and space. The brushwork is evident, giving the painting a tactile quality, as though you could reach out and feel the texture of the land. The artist's engagement with the physical properties of the medium informs its appearance, echoing the natural contours of the terrain. Sarian’s approach reflects a conscious choice to celebrate the handmade, emphasizing the artist's unique perspective and skill. This direct engagement with materials and process elevates the work beyond mere representation, embedding it with cultural meaning and challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.