Artwork

The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral

The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, by Vardges Sureniants, oil, 1898
The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral, by Vardges Sureniants, oil, 1898

The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vardges Sureniants. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Armenia. The Departure of the Procession from St.

About this work

Overview

The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral is an 1898 oil painting by Vardges Sureniants, depicting a moment of quiet anticipation outside Armenia's revered Etchmiadzin Cathedral.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures a serene scene of a diverse crowd—men, women, and children in traditional, intricately patterned robes—gathered and awaiting the commencement of a religious procession from the cathedral, a central site of Armenian religious heritage.

Technique & Style

Sureniants employed oil paint to achieve detailed textures of both the crowd's attire and the cathedral's stone architecture, characterized by muted yet rich color tones, reflecting a post-Impressionist sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created during the post-Impressionist period, the work is now part of the National Gallery of Armenia's collection, acknowledging Sureniants' role in founding Armenian historical painting, recognized by peers like Martiros Saryan and Ilya Repin.

Context

This piece exemplifies Sureniants' thematic focus on Armenian history and folklore, contributing to the establishment of a distinct Armenian historical painting tradition.

Legacy

As a foundational work in Armenian historical painting, it influences subsequent generations of artists exploring national themes, though its broader international impact remains less documented compared to its significance within Armenian cultural heritage.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Vardges Sureniants

Artist

Vardges Sureniants

Vardges Sureniants (Armenian: Վարդգես Սուրենյանց; 27 February 1860 – 6 April 1921) was an Armenian painter, sculptor, illustrator, translator, art critic, and theater artist.