Fairy tale. At the foot of Mount Ararat. 1904

Martiros Sarian created "Fairy tale. At the foot of Mount Ararat." around 1904, and its composition is dominated by soft, muted tones, which create a dreamlike atmosphere. The watercolor technique lends the scene a fluid quality, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Sarian employs a semiotic system in which the stylized figures and the abstracted landscape serve as signs. The mountains, rendered in hazy blues and greys, symbolize not just a geographical location but a cultural and historical backdrop that informs the narrative content of the work. The figures, with their traditional garb, engage with the landscape but also challenge fixed notions of identity. The figures destabilize any singular interpretation of Armenian identity. The ethereal quality of the work, achieved through delicate brushstrokes and translucent washes, underscores the painting’s status as a "fairy tale," inviting viewers to engage in an ongoing interpretation.