Vardges surenyants biography sampler list

Man of his large-scale historically-themed canvases were based on detailed architectural, archival and archaeological research in which the photograph played a crucial role as both a means of documentation and a form of pre-visualisation. Born in the Armenian-populated city of Akhaltskha currently in Georgia , Surenyants had received his professional training in Moscow and later, at the Munich Academy of Art.

After graduating in , the artist constantly moved about the Russian Empire, working in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ejmiatsin, Tiflis, Yalta and, briefly, in Iran.

Vardges Sureniants played an instrumental role in reviving Armenian historical events through the medium of art.

He was a pioneering figure modern Armenian culture who worked in almost every genre of visual arts — from painting and illustration to stage and architectural design. At the same time, Surenyants also produced a number of important literary translations into Armenian, while making a serious contribution to the history of Armenian art with a series of critical essays.

It is not clear what prompted Surenyants to use the camera. Surenyants went further, however.

Vardges Sureniants was born in Akhaltsikhe, Russian Empire in modern-day Georgia on 27 February His father, Hakop Sureniants, was a priest and taught religious history.

Thus, nearly all of the photographs taken by the artist were staged as preparational studies for future paintings and illustrations. Though performed, these preparatory photo-sketches rely greatly on the documentary qualities of photography. Rather the artist wanted to transfer the mimetic veracity of the photograph onto his often hyper-realistic canvases.

Archaeology, history, photography and painting were thus intertwined in a cycle of mutual influence. Interestingly, Surenyants photographically recreated scenes that were mostly drawn from the Bible, Armenian fairytales, mythology and folklore. These works continue to move and fascinate the viewer because of this humanist appeal and claims to authenticity which comes from the meticulous specificity of ethnographic and architectural detail.

Vardges Hakobi Surenyants - - s.