Irises and poppies 1947

Martiros Sarian created this still life, Irises and Poppies, at some point during his long career as one of Armenia's foremost 20th-century painters. Sarian came of age as an artist at a time of immense cultural and political change. He received his education in Moscow, and he was deeply influenced by Russian Symbolism and the work of artists like Matisse. But he remained committed to the traditions and culture of his homeland. In this still life, we see a fusion of styles and influences, with bold colors and simplified forms reminiscent of European modernism combined with a distinctly Armenian sensibility. The inclusion of symbolic objects like the elephant and classical bust reflects the lingering influence of symbolism. To fully appreciate Sarian's project, scholars consult a range of sources, from exhibition reviews and artists' manifestos, to political histories and postcolonial studies. Through such research, we gain insight into how his art navigated the complexities of cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.