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Architecture
In Armenia man made structures date back to the Late Stone Age (Sev-Blur, Shresh Blur). The megalithic group of monuments at Karahunj was an ancient observatory complex. The settlement at Shengavit (4-3rd millennia BC) has circular dwellings and is surrounded with a wide fortification wall. Metsamor (3-1st millennia BC) was a metallurgical center and it stands out with its religious constructions.
The kingdom of Van (Urartu) was founded in the territory of Armenian Highland in the 9th century BC. Towns Erebuni, Teishebaini, and Argishtikhinili, located in the territory of the current Armenian republic, are perfect examples of the Urartians' achievements in town planning and architecture. According to the inscription, Erebuni was founded in 782 BC. Life continued in the town after the fall of Urartu, and its heir is the city of Yerevan.
Âî II â. äî í.ý. In the 2nd century BC Armenia was located within the Hellenistic sphere of influence. Artashat, which was the capital of the country for five centuries, had a unite ground plan solution. One can judge about the religious constructions from the temple of Garni, built in 77 AD by king Trdat I.
In 301 AD Armenians were the first in the world to adopt Christianity as state religion. This brought to incomparable achievements in the Armenian national architecture in Early Middle Ages. The architectural types of the churches, worked out by Armenian masters, with their artistic value and constructive solutions, are a great contribution to the Christian culture.
Except for the single and three-nave basilicas, central-domed Hripsime-type, Mastara-type, cruciform domed and poly-apse churches were built. The oldest preserved domed church is the Etchimiadzin cathedral, which, according to the historical sources, was built in 303. St Hovhannes church in Avan district of Yerevan, is the oldest five-dome church with inscription that contains its date of construction (591). In the 7th century the domed basilicas were transformed into churches with cruciform ground-plan (Katoghike of Talin). In the 6-7th cc, Armenian architects created another new type of churches-the "domed hall" (Aruch temple, 662-666). The masterpiece of medieval Armenian architecture is the three-storied central-domed temple at Zvartnots (643-652).
 Hripsime temple (618)
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Ani, the Cathedral
(989-1001,
architect Trdat) |
This epoch is distinctive for rapid growth of towns and secular architecture. An exquisite example of town planning of this period is Ani, the capital of Armenia in Bagratuni period. As a result of feudal partitions of the country, Ani, Syunik, Lori, Vaspurakan, separate schools of architecture were founded.
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The church of
the Holy Cross
at Aghtamar Island
(915-921, architect
Manuel) |
The achievements of Ani school are connected with the name of architect Trdat, who designed the cathedral (989-1001), the churches of St Gregory (1001-1010) and St Savior (1036). The best works of this school are the churches of Tigran
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The reliefs of
the church of
the Holy Cross
at Aghtamar Island |
Honents in Ani (13th century), Arakelots in Kars (910-943), the monasteries of Marmashen and Khtskonk, and the fortress of Amberd. St Poghos-Petros church of Tatev monastery was built in Syunik in 906, which was decorated with highly artistic frescoes. Within the Vaspurakan School the church of St Cross at Aghtamar Island was created. It is famous for the synthesis of arts. Khatchkars, the new memorial types were formed in the 9th century. Khatchkars are unique phenomenon in the medieval Christian culture.
Khachkar (Holy Etchmiadzin, 1279))
In the 9-14th cc many monastic complexes were built, which consisted of many secular structures as well (book-depositaries, schools, guest-rooms, refectories etc). The best architectural complexes are Geghard (with exclusive structures carved inside the cliff), Hovhannavank, Kecharis, Goshavank, Haghartsin, Harichavank and Gandzasar. In 13-14th cc architect, miniature painter and sculptor Momik created his works in Noravank monastery.
 Haghpat monastery (10-13th cc)
From the middle of 14th century due to unfavorable political and economical situation, the construction almost stopped in Armenia. Meanwhile the Armenian architecture progressed in the Armenian colonies in different countries (Georgia, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova etc). The most outstanding monuments built outside Armenia are the Katoghike church in Tbilisi (1251), The St Cross church in Crimea (1338), The Cathedral in Lvov(1363, St Nikoghayos temple in Kamenets Podolsk (1398) and The church of St Michael and St Gabriel in Theodosia (1408). In 17-18th cc several architectural complexes were erected in Armenia, most famous of them being Monasteries of Mughni, Khor Virap and St Thomas in Agulis.
After joining Russia in 1828, radical changes were made in the town planning of Armenia; new public buildings appeared.
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Building of Opera
theatre in Yerevan
(architect A.Tamanian) |
20th century is unique in the history of Armenian architecture.
Alexander Tamanian, the author of the general plan of the Yerevan city, was the founder of contemporary Armenian architecture. He designed the buildings of the government and the opera house, which can rightfully be called
masterpieces of Armenian architecture. In the second half of 20th century great achievements were made in the field of
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| The "Zvartnots" airport |
construction of massive dwelling buildings. The new public constructions, such as the "Zvartnots" airport, the Sport and Concert Complex, the subway stations and others are the best acquirements of modern Armenian architecture.
After gaining independence of the current Armenian republic in 1991, the Armenian architects' endeavor was directed to
the restoration of the towns ruined by the earthquake in 1988. The most important structures of this period are the St Gregory Cathedral and the municipality building in Yerevan.
Fine Arts
In Armenia the oldest monuments of the prehistoric art have about 10 millenniums of history (Cave painting, rock carvings). The applied art of the early Bronze Age mostly consists of colored ceramics with geometrical and vegetative ornaments. The art developed in the Late Bronze and early Iron Age (14-9th cc) in Metsamor and Dvin, where humanlike idols and fishlike dragons have been uncovered. In 9-7th cc BC Fine Arts developed in the Kingdom of Ararat (Urartu). Frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, objects of applied art have been discovered in the settlements of Karmir-Blur, Arinberd-Erebuni, Altin-Tepe, Poprakkale etc. In 6th century BC- 3rd century AD coins with the portraits of kings Tigran the Great and Artavazd II were struck, as well as many objects of art of metal, ceramics, jewelry, glass, as well as highly artistic frescoes and mosaic (such as the mosaics of Garni bath-house) were created. Perfect examples of stone sculpture are the male and female heads uncovered near the cities of Yerevan and Gyumri.
In the Middle Ages (4-17th cc) the Christian art progressed in Armenia and the religious themes were embodied. From the 4th century the churches were decorated with frescoes and sculptures. Fragments of frescoes were found in Lmbatavank (6th century), in Katoghike temple of Talin, in the 7th century churches of Aruch and Kosh. In the second phase in the development of wall-painting were created the frescoes in the St Cross church at Aghtamar (921), St Poghos-Petros church of Tatev monastery (930). In the 13-14th cc, Tigran Honents church in Ani, Kobayr, Haghpat, Akhtala and Dadivank monasteries were decorated with frescoes.
The major part of the Armenian manuscripts (pergament, paper, over 25000 in different collections in the world, 14000 of which are kept in Matenadaran named after Mesrop Mashtots) was illustrated with miniatures. Most of Armenian manuscripts are evangels. The oldest four survived miniatures are attached to the "Etchmiadzin Gospel" of 989. Preserved oldest completely illustrated manuscripts date back to the 9-
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Toros Roslin,
The portrait of
Prince Levon
and Princess
Keran (Gospel,
1262) |
11th cc (gospels of queen Mlke, Kars, Trapizon, Mughni), which were created during the reign of Bagratunis and Artsrunis. In the 12th century the miniature school of Cilician Armenia reached to a highest artistic level. The most outstanding painters of this school were Toros Roslin and Sargis Pitsak. Within this school the "Chashots of the King
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Adoration of
the Magi
(6-7th cc), the
miniature bound
at the end
of the "Etchmiadzin
Gospel" (989)
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Hetum II", "The Gospel of Eight Miniaturists", "The Gospel of Queen Keran" and other masterpieces of Armenian book art were created. The Vaspurakan school of miniature survived until the end of the 17th century and simple style of people's art was its main feature of artistic expression. The medieval sculpture was expressed in the form of architectural relieves and khatchkars. A perfect example of the developed medieval art is the statue of King Gagik Bagratuni from Ani. Many book covers, made of various precious materials, have been preserved, the most famous of which is the ivory cover of the "Etchmiadzi Gospel". Armenian carpets had a great demand in international markets. The most ancient Armenian carpet type was the "Vishapagorg" (dragon carpet).
The ivory binding (6th c) of the "Etchmiadzin Gospel" (989)
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H.Hovnatanian.
The portrait of
Melikova (undated) |
In the middle of the 19th century the priority
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V.Surenyants.
Salome (1907) |
was given to the genre of portrait (H. Hovnatanian, S. Nersessian). The world famous marine painter Hovhannes Ayvazovsky lived and created his masterpieces in Crimea. Living outside Armenia, the Armenian artists reverted to the themes of the history (V. Surenyants), everyday life and traditions (H. Shishmanian) and the nature (G. Bashinjaghian) of their motherland. In the end of 19th and early 20th century many thematic pictures (Y. Tadevosyan, H. Artsatpanyan), portraits (S. Aghajanyan, Y. Nazaryan), landscapes (P. Terlemezyan, A. Fetvajian), still lives (Z. Zakaryan, H. Hakobyan) were created. The first professional sculptors created their works (Y. Voskan-Constantinople, M. Mikaelyan-Tiflis, A. Ter-Marukyan, H. Gyurjyan-Paris etc). The outstanding graphic painters were E. Chahine (Paris) and the self-taught artist V. Khojabekyan (Tiflis). In 1900-1910s the easel paintings by M. Saryan, V. Gayfejyan, G. Yakulov, are the evidence of new ways of expression and modern stylistic mentality. In Tiflis, in 1916 the union of Armenian artists was founded.
After the establishment of the Soviet Union (1920), a group of Armenian artists returned to Armenia. M. Saryan
 M.Saryan. Armenia (1959)
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H.Gyurjyan.
Christ (1914) |
The line of Saryan's art was developed by Al. Grigoryan, H. Siravyan, K. Smbatyan and others. R. Elibekyan's art takes its origins from A. Bazhbeuk-Melikyan's works. The paintings and graphical works by R. Adalyan have connections with Y. Kochar's art. The severe image of Armenia was expressed in the Art of H. Hakobyan (repatriated from Egypt in 1962). A. Melkonyan's pictures are full of lyrical feelings. The works by A. Hunanyan, V. Galstyan, A. Hovhannisyan, H. Elibekyan,
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E.Kotchar,
The head (1933) |
M. Petrosyan, G. Khachatryan and others, as well as drawings, collages and three dimensional compositions by famous film director S. Paradjanov have contemporary characteristics. V. Khachatryan, H. Minasyan, M. Avetisyan, H. Siravyan, N. Kotanjyan made a great contribution in the formation and development of monumental painting (frescoes, mosaics, glass-painting).
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M.Avetisyan.
Self-portrait
in red (1964) |
R. Khachatryan's graphical still lives and portraits are accomplished in unusual manner and faultless mastership. The tendency of free elaboration of plastic forms and discovery of man's inner world is visible in the works of sculptors A. Chakmajyan, L. Tokmajyan, Y. Gojabashyan, D. Babayan, A. Shiraz and others. The ceramic works by R. Shahverdyan, D. Danielyan, H. Simonyan, H. Bdeyan stand out with in the field of decorative and applied arts. In the scenographic painting new fresh solutions were offered by S. Arutchyan, M. Avetisyan, H. and R Elibekyan brothers etc.
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A.Gorky.
The Artist
and his Mother
(1926-1936) |
During the period of independent Armenia, under the influence of world tendencies, the new generation of Armenian artists was formed, most famous representatives of which are T. Tovmasyan. H. Khachatryan, S. Hamalbashyan, G. Mikayelyan, K. Andreasyan, A. Grigoryan. N. Avetisyan. Inseparable part of the national Armenian culture is the fine art of the Diaspora, the world famous representatives of which are Archile Gorky (Vostanik Adoyan) one of the founders of modern American painting and Ruben Nakyan (USA), Garzou (Garnik Zulumyan), Jansem (Hovhannes Semerjyan) and Levon Tutunjyan (France), Grigor Shldyan (Italy), Paul Kirakosyan (Lebanon) and others.
Music
The Armenian professional musical art has a history of several millenniums. It started in XII c. B.C. In VI-III cc. B.C. its originality and monody character were formed. In II century B.C., during the 200 year-long period of the Artashesian dynasty governing, the military and ceremonial songs have been seriously developed. The music of the Hellenistic Armenia was represented by the strolling minstrels and troubadours ('vipasan'-s, 'gousan'-s and 'vardzak'-s).
The sacred music appeared in IV-X cc., after the adoption of Christianity (301). After the invention of the Armenian alphabet, M.Mashtots and S.Partev have translated the Bible and the Holy Liturgy, arranged the musical part of the Liturgy and the church ceremonies, and became founders of the Armenian sacred music. They have implanted the music of elevated style that has reached the climax of its development in VII century thanks to K.Aghtsetsi, B.Tchon, A.Shirakatsi, and S.Dzoraporetsi. In VIII century the East-Christian 'canon' genre, consisted of 8-9 songs, was introduced by S.Syunetsi II. The neumatic 'khaz' system was invented; the Armenian 'sharakan' art has made an important step (VII-VIII cc.); the sacred songbooks, such as the 'Euchologion', 'Typikon' and 'Menologion' have been finally established.
The period of X-XIV cc. was the time of the blossom of the 'tagh' (spiritual hymn) art. A new monumental-decorative style was developed. Grigor Narekatsi (X c.) was the brightest representative of the style. Nerses Shnorhali (XII c.) was one of the highest peaks of the Kilikian art.
In XV century the 1000 year-long development path of the Armenian 'sharakan' (sacred song) art was over. In the person of Sayat-Nova, the 'ashough' (bard) art was developed. The new so-called 'tagh-singers' arose: Naghash Hovnatan, Paghtasar Dpir, Petros Ghapantsi. The first efforts of creating the new notation system appeared (G.Gapasakalyan), in order to replace the 'khaz' system that endured a crisis. These efforts have favored the invention of a new notation system by H.Limondjyan.
The professional composition school was formed in XIX c. In the same time, the national 'ashough' school was established (Shirin, Jivani). In 1868, Tigran Chukhadjyan composed the first opera ("Arshak II"). He is also an author of several symphonic and chamber music works, as well as romances.
In 1880'ths, Ch.Kara-Murza, M.Yekmalyan and Komitas started to polyphonize Armenian monody songs. Komitas is one of the greatest figures of the Armenian music. He is the founder of the national composition school. He has created the masterpieces of the Armenian polyphonic vocal music, being the founder and the brightest representative of the musical ethnology.
Such composers as N.Tigranyan, the founder of the romance genre R.Melikyan, A.Tigranyan, who was the author of the first East-Armenian national opera "Anush", and the founder of the symphonic school Al.Spendiaryan have worked in the late XIX - beginning of XX cc.
After the establishing of the Soviet authority in Armenia (1920), there were founded such kind of musical institutions and collectives, as the Conservatory, the Symphony Orchestra, the State Chorus, the Opera and Ballet Theatre (1933), the Musical Comedy Theatre, the Armenian Philharmony, the Komitas String Quartet, the Folk Instruments Orchestra, the Folk Dance and Song Chorus, the Variety Music Orchestra, the State Chamber Orchestra.
The appearance of the new generation of talented composers (H.Avetisyan, A.Satyan, V.Talyan, A.Ayvazyan) was followed with the organization of the Union of Armenian Composers (1932).
The art of Aram Khachatrian is a great phenomenon of the world music, which had a significance of an upheaval; he has created the first national ballet ("Gayane"), symphonies, instrumental concertos, etc.
The opera, symphonic, vocal-symphonic, choral, chamber music genres are represented with the highly valuable works by A.Babajanyan, S.Balasanyan, A.Harutyunyan, E.Mirzoyan, E.Hovhannisyan, Gh.Saryan, E.Baghdasaryan, G.Armenyan, A.Terteryan, A.Adjemyan, T.Mansuryan, K.Orbelyan, Dj.Ter-Tadevosyan, R.Amirkhanyan, Kh.Avetisyan, G.Chtchyan, G.Hakhinyan, E.Aristakesyan, M.Vardazaryan, M.Mavisakalyan, A.Khudoyan, G.Hovunts, V.Kotoyan, M.Israelyan, S.Shakaryan, E.Yerkanyan, R.Altunyan, V.Balyan, A.Satunts, L.Chaushyan…
The art of Diaspora is an inseparable part of the Armenian modern musical art. Its notable representatives are N.Galanderian, H.Perperian, Alan Hovhannes, G.Alemshah, T.Karvarents, Sh.Aznavour, L.Tjeknavorian, etc.
Theatre
Theatre in Armenia has originated from the astral cyclic drama, associated to the legend of Shidar chained up in the mountains - a power symbolizing the concept of time. Later (III-I cc. B.C.), under the influence of the Hellenism it was called theatron. According to the Greek historian Plutarch, in 69 B.C. a theatre building has been built in Tigranakert (the capital of Armenia). In 53 B.C., the drama "Bacchantes" by Euripides was performed in the northern capital Artashat.
The theatre was forbidden in 301, when the Christianity was accepted as an official religion. In the Middle Ages, it survived in the form of the circus, folk games, spiritual drama, and rhetoric studies.
The theatre as a social institution started to develop in Armenia in 1850-60'ths, and it exists till our days. The European theatrical system supposed the translation of classic plays (Hugo, Moliere, Shakespeare etc.), as well as the existence of the independent dramaturgy (Sundukyan, Paronyan, Shirvanzade): historical-patriotic plays, comedies of everyday life, etc. In the XIX century, the Armenian stage had such masters of the translated and national repertoire as Arusyak Papazyan, Martiros Mnakyan, Gevorg Chmshkyan, Petros Adamyan, Siranuysh, Azniv Hrachya, Hovhannes Abelyan.
In 1880'ths P.Adamyan won fame on the stages of Russian capital for his Shakespearian roles ("Hamlet"), later - Siranuysh as an actress of romantic style and H.Abelyan as the bearer of the late XIX century psychological realism. Gevorg Petrosyan has become the first professional producer.
The first Armenian state theatre was founded in 1922, in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, later in Gyumri, Vanadzor and other towns. The classical traditions were continued. There were performed the plays by European, Russian, and Armenian authors. The Armenian dramatic tradition continued to develop in the person of Hrachya Nersisyan, Vagharsh Vagharshyan, Hasmik Hakobyan, Arus Voskanyan, Avet Avetisyan, Olga Gulazyan, Mikael Manvelyan, Gurgen Djanibekyan and others. Vahram Papazian acquired fame as an exceptional master of Shakespearian repertoire ("Othello". "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet"). The art of producing was developed by Levon Kalantaryan, Arshak Burjalyan, Armen Gulakyan, and Vardan Adjemyan.
Today the theatres in Armenia are state institutions, and they function on the conditions of the creative freedom. There are more than twenty state theatres in the Republic.
Cinematography
The history of the Armenian cinematography started with two films: "Soviet Armenia" (1924, documentary) and "Namus" (1925, feature; both produced by H.Beknazaryan). "Zare", "Shor and Shor-shor", "Kikos" are the films of the 'silent' period (1924-35). The first film of the 'sound' period is "Pepo" (1935, producer - H.Beknazaryan). In 1941-45, the patriotic films, such as "Davit Bek" (by the same producer) appeared. The modern period started in mid 1950'ths: "For the Sake of Honor" (producer - A.Hay-Artyan), "Hello, it's me", "Perturbation" (F.Dovlatyan), "The Triangle", "We are Our Mountains" and "Nahapet" (H.Malyan), "Saroyan Brothers" (Kh.Abrahamyan, A.Hayrapetyan), "The Color of Pomegranate" (S.Paradjanov), "White Shores" (A.Manaryan), "The Best Part of Life", "The Old Song Days" and "The Tango of Our Childhood" (A.Mkrtchyan), "The Mechanics of Happiness" and "Strange Games" (N.Hovhannisyan). The documentary genre developed in the following films: "A Poem about Armenia", "Seven Songs about Armenia", "Inspiration", "Islands", "On the Crossroad", "Musa Mount - 88: the Year of Dragon", "Kond", etc.
The first TV-films appeared in 1956. In 1958, the first feature TV-film ("Towards the Highlands") was created (Zh.Avetisyan). In 1970, the "Yerevan" TV-film studio was founded. The feature films are "Dzori Miro" (Zh.Avetisyan), "Anush" (M.Varzhapetyan), the documentaries - "We" and "Our Age" (A.Peleshyan), "Matenadaran", parts 1-16 (H.Hakhverdyan).
The cartoon films appeared in 1937 ("The Dog and the Cat"); after a 20 year-long break it was restored ("A Drop of Honey") and developed in 1970'ths. "The Shoes of Abu Hasan", "The Lazy", "Fox-Book", "Mouse-meeting", and "The Button" are among the best cartoon films.
The producers Ruben Mamulian ("Sand and Blood", "Dr.Jackiel and Mr.Hide", "Queen Christine") in USA, Henry Vernoi ("Prohibited fruit", "Mother") in France and Atom Egoyan ("Exotica", "Ararat") in Canada and others are the Armenian cinematography promoters living in foreign countries.
Institute of Arts of NAS RA
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