Martiros Saryan

Sculptor: Levon Tokmajyan

Architect: Arthur Tarkhanyan

Material: White Ural marble and gray basalt

Year of Completion: 1986

Height: 5.4 meters

Location: Saryan Park, Yerevan

The Monument to Martiros Saryan, created by sculptor Levon Tokmajyan and architect Arthur Tarkhanyan, was unveiled on May 19, 1986, in Saryan Park, near the Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre in Yerevan. This work commemorates Martiros Saryan (1880–1972), a foundational figure in modern Armenian painting and a key contributor to the national school of art.
The sculpture, made from white Ural marble, is 5.4 meters tall and depicts Saryan seated with a palette in his hand. Its design emphasizes a dignified and formal representation of the artist. The marble’s white color contrasts subtly with the greenery of the surrounding park, enhancing the monument’s solemn character.
The sculpture stands on a triple-stepped gray basalt pedestal. The left corner of the pedestal features a granite slab engraved with the image of eternity and Saryan’s autograph. On the right corner, his name is inscribed in Russian. These details underscore the artist’s contributions to Armenian culture and his enduring legacy.
Notably, the sculpture depicts Saryan barefoot, symbolizing his strong connection to his homeland and its natural environment. This choice reflects his artistic focus on Armenia’s landscapes and cultural identity, themes central to his work across various periods of his career.
The monument remains a prominent cultural landmark in Yerevan, honoring an artist who defined Armenian modernism and whose works continue to resonate as representations of national pride and artistic achievement.