For the Armenians-fighters, veterans of World War II 1945

This vibrant still life, "For the Armenians-fighters, veterans of World War II," is by Martiros Sarian, and was painted with oils in an unknown year. The colours explode across the canvas, clashing and harmonising in equal measure, hinting at the dynamism of the subject. Up close, you can see the physicality of the paint. It’s applied in broad, gestural strokes, thick in some areas, thinner and more transparent in others, the marks are clear and confident, as if each brushstroke is a deliberate, decisive act. I’m drawn to the arrangement of the flowers on the lower left, they look almost squashed into their vase and appear to lean out towards the viewer, demanding to be seen. The way Sarian handles paint reminds me of Matisse's bold Fauvist paintings. There's a similar embrace of colour and a delight in the pure act of applying paint to canvas. However, Sarian's work feels rooted in the specific cultural context of Armenia, a heartfelt tribute that transforms paint into a celebration of resilience. Art, like flowers, offers a way to honour and remember, blooming in defiance of time.