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Vardges Sureniants (1860 –1921) was an Armenian painter, sculptor, illustrator, translator, art critic, and theater artist. He is considered the founder of Armenian historical painting. Vardges Sureniants was born in Akhaltsikhe, Russian Empire in what is now modern day Georgia on 27 February 1860. His father, Hakop Sureniants, was a priest and taught religious history. The Sureniants family then moved to Simferopol in 1868. Sureniants' father was then appointed a presbyter to the Armenian diocese in Moscow. When in Moscow, Sureniants had an opportunity to study at the prestigious Armenian Lazarian School located in the city. In 1876, he furthered his education at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture where he graduated in 1879. That same year Sureniants went to Munich, Germany where he studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts, receiving more education in painting and ultimately graduating from the academy in 1885. He traveled to Italy in 1881 and visited the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni where the Armenian Catholic congregation of the Mechitarists is located. In their library he studied Armenian fine art and Armenian manuscripts. In 1885–87, he traveled to the Persian cities of Tabriz, Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz with Russian orientalist Valentin Zhukovski's expedition. After his travels, Sureniants translated William Shakespeare's Richard III and sent it to Constantinople so that actor Bedros Adamian could have it produced. In 1890–91 he taught art history at the Gevorkian Seminary in Armenia.

In 1917 Sureniants moved to Yalta where he was commissioned to draw the decorations for the newly built Armenian cathedral. Sureniants decorated the altar, walls, and dome of the church. While decorating the church Surentiants suffered a grave illness. He died on 6 April 1921, and is buried in the premises of the Armenian church of Yalta

Although Sureniants had one exhibition dedicated to his works in his lifetime, he was admired by many of his contemporaries. However there have been many posthumous exhibitions in his honor, including exhibitions at Venice (1924), Yerevan (1931, 1941, 1960, 2010) and elsewhere. The most recent exhibition was held in 2010 in honor of Sureniants' 150th anniversary.

Desecrated Shrine 1895(dedicated to the victims of the Hamidian massacres)

Vardges Surenyants

A Group of Armenian

Refugees, 1916

After the Massacre

(The Massacre of

Virgins) 1899

Come unto me, all ye that labour, 1894, NGA

Christ's head. Dastarak1900

Annunciation, date unknown

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The Departure of the Procession from St. Etchmiadzin Cathedral

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Illustration to Oscar Wilde's Fairy Tales, 1907

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Return of Queen Zabel of Armenia

The only child of King Leo I of Cilicia by his second wife, Sybille of Cyprus, Zabel (1216-1252) was proclaimed the successor to the throne and Queen of Cilicia. She was just a young child when her father died. She first married the Duke of Antioch but he was arrested and executed for not adopting the Armenian Church and fleeing the country with her. Then she was married off to her guardian’s son, Hetum against her will. As this was imposed on her, she refused for years to have any contact with her new husband. Years later, Hetum’s dedication, courage and good will made her change her mind and she agreed to rule the country by his side.A responsible queen and a dedicated mother, Zabel was very involved in leading the country and played an important role in the development of education and literature. She was the protector of the fine arts and a devoted supporter of theater. At the age of 25 she sponsored the building of a hospital where she used to volunteer in person.

 Léon III (1236-1289)Queen Keran de Cilicie (XIIIe siècle)

King Levon II (son of Queen Zabel)

and Queen Keran of Armenia (1272). They are shown here with five of

their fifteen children

Medieval Art of Armenia

Shah holidays

Ferdousi and Shah Mahmood Ghaznevii

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Torch

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Illustrations for Armenian Folk Tales

Woman glkhankar (sketch) Woman portrait (unfinished)

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Village Ghohrud (sketch), 1885

Tabriz

Shamiram and Ara the Beautiful

Ara was a warrior whose

handsomeness drew marriage proposals from

queen Semiramis. When Ara rejected Semiramis due to

his marriage to Nvard, Semiramis sent soldiers to kill

Ara and bring his body to her, where she prayed for his

eventual resurrection

Pushkin's "Bakhchisarayi fountain" Book Cover "B

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The Fountain of Bakhchisaray

The Fountain of Bakhchisaray

The Fountain of Bakhchisaray

In 1917 Sureniants moved to Yalta where he was commissioned to draw the decorations for the newly built Armenian cathedral. Sureniants decorated the altar, walls, and dome of the church. 

Armenian Church of St. Hripsime 1909-1917

Surentiants died on 6 April 1921, and is buried in the premises of the Armenian church of Yalta

Sound: Djivan Gasparyan - In Foreign Lands

Text & pictures: Internet

Copyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu

www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda