Flamboyant landscape 1933

Martiros Sarian made this landscape—we don't know exactly when—using a playful approach to color, which gives the whole scene a dreamlike, imaginative feel. The vibrant, almost Fauvist palette suggests a world seen through the lens of memory and emotion, rather than strict observation. The paint application is fluid, with washes of color layered to create depth and texture. See how the mountains are built up from strokes that follow their forms, giving a sense of volume. Note the palm-like brushstrokes, how they rhythmically animate the surface. And those thin verticals on the cliff, are they deliberate or were they the result of the painting being leant vertically while the paint was wet? Sarian reminds me of Milton Avery in his ability to distill a scene down to its most essential elements, capturing the essence of a place through color and form. Both artists demonstrate that painting isn't just about replicating reality. It’s about creating new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.