Still life. Bananas. 1911

Martiros Sarian made this painting, "Still Life. Bananas", with gouache on cardboard. The painting seems to have been created spontaneously. I can almost feel the impulsive brushstrokes, as Sarian moves the paint across the surface. A palette of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens adds a rich contrast, while the darker grays create dramatic shadows. I imagine Sarian arranging these fruits, considering how the colors would interact, how the shapes would create a dynamic rhythm. Did he begin with a light sketch, or did he directly attack the canvas with his brush? There's a freshness here, a sense of immediate response to the still life. The quick strokes seem to dance with the shapes of the bananas and the other fruits. There's an energy that makes the work feel very contemporary. It reminds me of the Fauves who were doing similar things at the beginning of the 20th century. Artists are always in dialogue with one another, finding inspiration in the past while pushing towards something new. Each mark on the canvas reflects the artist’s presence and their vision.