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Martiros Sarjan
Martiros Sarjan was born in the Armenian city of Novaya Nakhichevan, (nowadays Rostov-on-Don) in Russia on February 28, 1880. The parents of the future artist were engaged in agriculture. The family had eight children and life was not easy.
Meanwhile Martiros Sarjan often recalled his childhood years spent in the steppes as a source of special inspiration. The child’s perception forever determined the role of natural sunlight and pure color in his vision as an artist.
From 1897 to 1904 Martiros Sarjan studied in the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, including classes by Valentin Serov and Konstantin Korovin.
In 1901 — 1904 the artist made a trip to his historical homeland and visited Laurie, Chirac, Echmiadzin, Akhpat, Sanain, Yerevan and Sevan.
In the 1900s Martiros Sarjan participated in exhibitions of the art associations Blue Rose, Union of the Russian Artists, World of Art, and Four Arts. His style was gretly influenced by Paul Gauguin and Anri Matisse.
After the October Revolution of 1917 Martiros Sarjan came with his family to Russia. In 1918 — 1919 they stayed in Nakhichevan-on-Don. The artist was the founder and the first director of the Armenian Museum of Local Lore in Rostov-on-Don. In addition to that he collaborated with the Theatrical Studio theater.
In 1921 Martiros Sarjan moved to Armenia and devoted his life to painting its nature.
Art by Martiros Sarjan played the leading role in development of the national school of Armenian Soviet painting. He was a deputy of the 2nd and 4th Supreme Council of the USSR and the holder of 3 Lenin Orders, 2 other orders and a few medals. There is Martiros Sarjan monument in Yerevan.
