Spring flowers 1947

Martiros Sarian made this unnamed painting of spring flowers using oil paint. Look how Sarian approaches mark making with such playfulness. The colors are laid down with thick brushstrokes, creating a lively, textured surface. Up close, you can see how the physicality of the paint really dictates the form. The dabs and daubs of color build up to create the impression of petals and leaves. I love how he uses the brush almost like a sculptor's tool, carving out shapes with layers of pigment. Notice those little, sun-like asterisks of orange and yellow, dotted throughout the composition. They appear to flicker and dance, like tiny explosions of light. This piece reminds me a bit of Bonnard, in the way he captures the fleeting beauty of everyday life through vibrant color and loose brushwork, both artists invite us to slow down and appreciate the small, joyful moments that surround us. The painting embodies that kind of spirit, don’t you think?