Desert 1911

Martiros Sarian conjured this desert scene with paint, likely sometime in the early to mid-20th century. Look at the way the colors vibrate against each other. It's like he's not just depicting a place, but also the feeling of heat and light. You can feel the process in every brushstroke. See how the mountains are built up with layers of ochre, russet, and even these strange, cool indigos? The paint isn't trying to hide anything. Sarian's not trying to trick you into thinking this is a photograph, but it's like he's letting us see the world through his eyes. Those dark colors in the crevices of the mountains pull your gaze through the landscape. It's a brave move, and the landscape benefits from that tension. This kind of bold simplicity reminds me of Milton Avery, who also wasn't afraid to pare things down to their essential forms and colors. It's this idea that art isn't about answering questions, but about opening them up.