Peasants 1902

This drawing, "Peasants," by Martiros Sarian, is made with simple materials: paper and what appears to be charcoal or pencil. Sarian’s choice of medium speaks volumes. Unlike oil paint, which is associated with the upper classes, drawing is a democratic medium, accessible to all. The rapid, gestural marks capture the immediacy of life and the fleeting nature of human experience. The sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke, reminding us of the labor involved in creating art. But it also prompts us to reflect on the labor of those depicted: the peasants, whose toil sustains society. Sarian does not idealize their existence. In celebrating the act of making, and drawing attention to both the process and the subject matter, Sarian elevates the everyday, challenging traditional hierarchies of art.