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Artists in 60 Seconds: Martiros Sarian

By Shelley Esaak, About.com

Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:

Symbolism, as a member of the Russian group Golubaya Roza ("Blue Rose").

After 1909, Sarian's work became more realistic. His own style emerged, complete with a Fauve-like palette and notes of Expressionism and Post-Impressionism.

Date and Place of Birth:

February 28, 1880, Nakhchyvan'-on-Don (modern: Rostov-on-Don), Russia. His given name is sometimes spelled "Mardiros", and his surname is alternately spelled as both "Saryan" and "Sar'yan".

Life:

There is virtually nothing in Martiros Sarian's tremendous output that does not contain the light and natural colors of Armenia, regardless of the piece's subject matter. Though best known for his landscapes (often including Mt. Ararat), Sarian also produced many still lifes and innovative portraiture. He won every major artistic award that Armenia had to offer, and a great many from the U.S.S.R. Happily, Sarian lived to the age of 92 - long enough to know he was revered as a national treasure.

Important Works:

  • By the Well. A Hot Day (of the cycle "Fairy Tales and Dreams"), 1908
  • Lotus, 1911
  • Armenia (of the cycle "Armenia"), 1923
  • Portrait of Architect Al.Tamani an, 1933
  • December in Yerevan, 1961

Date and Place of Death:

May 5, 1972, Yerevan, Armenia

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