Fantasy 1904

Martiros Sarian made this drawing, Fantasy, in 1904, using pencil on paper. It's a simple method, but the result is far from ordinary. The artist employs the starkness of the pencil medium to sketch a dreamlike tableau. Sarian coaxes a range of tones and textures from his pencil strokes. Notice the difference in density between the soft hatching of the sky, and the sharper, more deliberate marks defining the figures. The texture of the paper itself becomes an active element in the composition, adding to the ethereal quality of the scene. This work beautifully illustrates how something so simple, like a pencil, can be used to explore complex themes. The amount of work belies the apparent effortlessness of the execution. Sarian shows us that the value of a piece isn't necessarily in the material, but in the artist's skill and vision. It challenges our perceptions of value, moving beyond traditional notions of ‘high art’.