Ararat 1923

"Ararat" was drawn by Martiros Sarian in 1923. It's a pencil sketch, kind of sparse and yet, it feels like everything is there, you know? I mean, look at those lines. They're not trying to be realistic; they're more like shorthand for the idea of a mountain, or a tree. The mountain feels solid and looming, even though it's just lines. And the trees in the foreground, they're almost scribbles. They just sit there, solid forms, giving a sense of depth. There's a confidence in the looseness, like Sarian knows exactly what he wants to convey with each mark. It's not about perfection, it's about feeling. This reminds me of Arthur Dove. They're both great at conveying the essence of a place with a kind of abstract touch. It shows you that art is just an ongoing conversation; everyone is referencing each other, all the time.