Gathering of grapes 1935

Editor: So, this is Martiros Sarian’s "Gathering of Grapes" from 1935. It's a painting, clearly plein-air, with these vibrant, almost clashing colours. It feels incredibly warm, like a hazy summer afternoon. What do you see in this piece, especially with those stylized figures? Curator: It's interesting you pick up on the warmth. I'm drawn to the figures too. Their posture, heads bowed, embodies a timeless connection to the land, an almost biblical scene of reaping what is sown, don’t you think? Editor: Biblical? I hadn't considered that. I was thinking more about the colours – the fauvist influence – but I can see the connection to harvest imagery. Curator: Absolutely, but the Fauvist colours don't detract, instead highlighting cultural memory. Notice the strong primary colours - the red worn by the figure - set against the emerald green field. This carries psychological weight, evoking primal themes of earth and life. Sarian, rooted in Armenian heritage, channels folk memory and resilience through these potent hues. How do those intense colour relationships speak to you? Editor: They definitely create a sense of heightened emotion. It is bold, the way he juxtaposes the red and green. Do you think the simplification of forms, almost naive art, adds to that sense of timelessness you mentioned? Curator: Precisely! It speaks to the enduring nature of tradition and a return to an earlier state of mankind through the connection with nature, simplifying to get to the emotional core. So, do you feel like you're gathering grapes now? Editor: (laughs) Almost! I'll definitely look at naive art differently now, understanding the link between visual style and the memory of tradition. Thanks! Curator: A true gathering for the mind. A painting indeed ripe for interpretation!