Still Life with Armenian Carpet 1986

Petros Malayan made this watercolour painting, Still Life with Armenian Carpet, at some point during his career. The composition is grounded by soft, watery colours. The objects, rendered with hazy edges, seem to emerge from a dream. Malayan's attention to the texture of the carpet, with its intricate patterns and subtle variations in colour, creates a focal point. You can almost feel the coarse weave of the fabric. The interplay of light and shadow across the objects gives a sense of depth and volume, even in this seemingly simple arrangement. There is something of Giorgio Morandi in Malayan's work, particularly in the quiet, contemplative mood evoked by the still life, but filtered through a uniquely Armenian sensibility. Both artists share a similar focus on the formal relationships between objects and how they create a sense of harmony, but Malayan introduces a cultural element by including the Armenian carpet. Ultimately, this is what defines the piece.