The emblem of the Union of Armenian Artists 1916

Martiros Sarian created this emblem for the Union of Armenian Artists. Done in 1946, it reflects the artistic associations that emerged in post-war Soviet Armenia. The emblem combines natural and cultural motifs that are central to Armenian identity. The stylized bird, likely a nightingale, perches on a vine laden with grapes, a symbol of fertility and abundance in the region. This imagery evokes Armenia's long tradition of viticulture and winemaking, deeply intertwined with its cultural and religious practices. Sarian's emblem embodies the renewed sense of national identity fostered by cultural organizations like the Union of Artists, which received strong support from the state. By researching the history of Soviet-era artistic unions and their role in shaping cultural expression, we gain insights into the ways in which art was both a reflection of and a contributor to the construction of national identity.