Toy Pump 1935 - 1942

Arsen Maralian's "Toy Pump" is like a little stage set, rendered with a tender touch. The shades of green and wood-brown, feels like he’s trying to get every little detail just so, like the painting is a love letter to the object. Look at how the light glances off the side of the tiny trough, and the way he gets the highlights on the pump itself – that’s about process, about paying attention. It's not just about depicting a pump; it’s about the act of seeing, of translating that seeing into marks on paper. The object has a real presence, a weight, a volume that is almost sculptural. This piece reminds me of the still life paintings of Giorgio Morandi. Both artists share a dedication to the quiet observation of everyday objects. Like Morandi, Maralian invites us to slow down, to really see the beauty in the mundane, and to appreciate the subtle poetry of the world around us.