Mount Ararat 1946

Martiros Sarian made this painting of Mount Ararat, sometime in the early 20th century, probably with oils on canvas. Look at those big, confident strokes of green and brown, building up the hills. It feels like the act of painting itself became a way for Sarian to really see the landscape, shifting and changing as he worked through his ideas on the canvas. I bet he stood there, brush in hand, thinking about Cezanne, maybe, or some other artist who tried to capture a mountain’s essence. He must have asked himself, "How do I make these forms feel solid, real, but also full of light and air?" I love the way the paint is applied—not too thick, not too thin, just right to create this vibrant surface. And that sky! It's not just blue; it's a whole world of blues, pulling the eye upwards, beyond the peaks. There’s this conversation happening across time, artists looking at each other’s work, challenging and inspiring each other. Painting allows us to express ourselves and create many interpretations.