At the well 1908

Martiros Sarian created "At the Well," of dimensions 51 x 63 cm, employing broad strokes of colour that give the work a vibrant, almost dreamlike quality. The composition is organized around a central tree, its trunk boldly patterned in blue and black, which anchors the scene. Notice how Sarian uses colour to define form, rather than relying on traditional shading or realistic depiction. The landscape is built up through layers of distinct hues – blues, oranges, yellows – that create a sense of depth and texture. This approach flattens the picture plane, drawing attention to the materiality of the paint itself. The semiotic effect is powerful: colour becomes a signifier of place and feeling, rather than merely descriptive. Sarian's style challenges conventional representation, inviting us to consider how colour and form alone can convey the essence of a scene. The pulsating colours and simplified forms create a world that is both familiar and strikingly new.