Eduard Isabekyan, “Sayat-Nova”, 1964

The painting “Sayat-Nova” was created in 1964 by the Armenian artist Eduard Hamayaki Isabekyan. It is a portrait of the great 18th-century Armenian ashugh (poet and musician) Sayat-Nova (real name Harutyun Sayadyan), who wrote in Armenian, Georgian and Turkic. The work is painted in the style of Symbolism and expresses the artist’s deep reverence for the personality and legacy of the ashugh.

On the canvas Sayat-Nova holds a musical instrument and wears a long dark coat. Behind him are women in long traditional dresses and white veils, holding musical instruments, and a gazelle. Roses are in the foreground.

This painting is considered one of the best-known works dedicated to Sayat-Nova.