Artwork

Man and woman on a horse

Man and woman on a horse, by Martiros Saryan, tempera, 1912
Man and woman on a horse, by Martiros Saryan, tempera, 1912

Man and woman on a horse is a tempera painting by the Symbolist artist Martiros Saryan. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Armenia.

About this work

Overview

Man and Woman on a Horse is a 1912 tempera painting by Martiros Saryan, a prominent Armenian artist.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a man and woman riding a brown horse together, with the man seated behind the woman, set against a backdrop of trees and hills. The dark-clad figures convey a sense of solemnity.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the work features bold brushstrokes that evoke a sense of dynamism. The medium's characteristic texture is evident throughout the composition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1912, the painting is part of the National Gallery of Armenia's collection. It exemplifies Saryan's Symbolist style, influenced by his travels in Armenia and the Middle East.

Context

Saryan was a key figure in modern Armenian art, later becoming a significant cultural leader in Soviet Armenia, serving as president of the Artists' Union and receiving the title of People's Artist of the USSR.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Martiros Saryan

Artist

Martiros Saryan

Martiros Saryan (Armenian: Մարտիրոս Սարյան; Russian: Мартиро́с Сарья́н; 28 February 1880 – 5 May 1972) was an Armenian painter, People's Artist of the USSR (1960), member of the USSR Academy of Fine Arts (1947),…