Self-portrait 1909

Curator: Alright, let’s spend a little time with this compelling self-portrait by Martiros Sarian, completed in 1909. It's oil paint on canvas. Editor: Wow, it vibrates! All those intensely colorful lines giving definition… it’s like seeing the artist’s energy laid bare, and those mountains in the back pulse in unison with him. What’s your take on the impasto? Curator: The impasto contributes a tactile dimension; it speaks to a desire to make the internal, external. The bold strokes across his face seem to reject traditional notions of portraiture. It’s not merely a representation of his likeness. Editor: Exactly, there's nothing neutral about it. The expressionistic style seems very deliberately chosen to convey some deeper truth than appearance alone. What do we know about his intentions here? Curator: Sarian, as a pivotal figure in modern Armenian art, was deeply interested in synthesizing Eastern and Western artistic traditions. I believe this self-portrait showcases that dialogue, with the formal dress codes referencing the West while the fauvist application of pure hues is deeply rooted in expressionism, used for expressing a revolutionary kind of subjectivity. It reminds me of Van Gogh or even Matisse... Editor: Speaking of Van Gogh, is he struggling like him? There's a sensitivity, even a vulnerability. Does the inclusion of the mountainous backdrop, an assertion of pride? Curator: I see that interplay you’re describing between strength and vulnerability. The mountains do act as this sort of anchoring element – an echo of Armenian national identity amid immense personal turmoil. This also relates to conversations around identity as being both an inherited construct, but also deeply, intuitively and inherently experienced. The impasto technique used really puts this to a dramatic test. Editor: Definitely, this is so thought-provoking to ponder. I'm really appreciating that it reveals that process through the texture, brushstrokes, and even color application. Sarian almost insists that we delve into that moment with him. Curator: I’m walking away with such an expanded awareness of portraiture beyond likeness, into something profoundly intimate. Thanks for pulling out all these insightful threads today!