By the river 1903

Martiros Sarian made "By the River" using watercolor on paper, a popular medium amongst landscape artists. The magic of watercolor lies in its fluid nature, and Sarian coaxes the paint across the surface, allowing it to bloom and mingle. Observe how the paper’s texture subtly influences the flow of the paint, creating soft, blurred edges that lend the scene an ethereal quality. The washes of color evoke the sensation of a sun-drenched afternoon. Watercolor has a democratic appeal, being readily accessible and relatively inexpensive, yet it requires considerable skill to master. Sarian's art stands as a testament to the expressive potential of such materials. It blurs conventional boundaries between fine art and craft, by elevating everyday materials through the artist's vision.