David of Sassoun 1959

This is Yervand Kochar's sculpture, David of Sassoun. You can see that the artist has worked with bronze and stone to create this heroic figure riding a horse. I can imagine Kochar was moved to create this sculpture out of love and respect for his Armenian culture, trying to capture the essence of this folk hero. He’s really focused on the hero’s body, all that powerful musculature! The horse is full of energy, too. It feels like Kochar is pushing the limits of the bronze, with all those expressive details. There’s a sense of urgency and pride here, like he wants to convey a feeling of national identity and belonging to the viewer. It’s like a painter trying to capture movement and depth on a canvas. It’s the sculptor's way of speaking visually, of sharing a cultural narrative in three dimensions. David of Sassoun is a symbol of the culture and spirit of Armenia, and Kochar has created a powerful monument that inspires feelings of patriotism, strength, and resistance in the face of adversity.