Blossoming tree 1907

Martiros Sarian made "Blossoming Tree" with watercolor, layering washes to create a landscape that feels both immediate and timeless. I love how the brushstrokes capture the tree's essence and the sky's moody atmosphere. Looking at this, I imagine Sarian outdoors, quickly capturing the scene before the light shifts. See how the blues and purples in the upper sky suggest a fleeting moment. He must have been wrestling with the watery medium, coaxing it to do his bidding. It makes me think of Cezanne and his plein air landscapes. There’s a dance between representation and abstraction here. The strokes are so economical yet they convey so much feeling. Artists are always having a conversation, aren’t they? Sarian is in dialogue with those who came before him, adding his own unique voice to the chorus. It’s a reminder that painting is about process and that meanings shift over time.