Flowers of Sambek 1914

Martiros Sarian made Flowers of Sambek with oil on canvas. Right away, what strikes me is the sheer exuberance of color, the way the greens and yellows of the flowers pop against the darker background. It feels like Sarian wasn't just painting flowers but capturing the very essence of life bursting forth. I love the way the paint is applied, thick and juicy in some spots, almost translucent in others. You can practically feel the texture of the canvas beneath. Look at the dark, heavy brushstrokes around the vase. The physicality of the paint mirrors the vibrancy of the scene itself. It's like Sarian is saying, “Here, feel the energy of these flowers as much as you see them!” Sarian reminds me a bit of Matisse, especially in his use of bold color and simplified forms. But where Matisse is all about elegance and refinement, Sarian feels a bit more raw, more earthy. It’s like a wild garden compared to a manicured French one. Art is a conversation and this piece shows a real dialogue.