Vardges Surenyants, “Trampled Sanctity”, 1895

This canvas is called “Trampled Sanctity”. It was painted by the artist Vardges Surenyants in 1895. It depicts the interior of an Armenian church after the Turkish massacres. Holy books are scattered on the floor and the church vessels have been plundered: the chest stands open, the censer lies on the floor, and on the left the murdered clergyman lies on the ground. A khachkar is carved on the pillar, and on the right is the image of a saint with a halo.

This is one of the first artistic responses to the violence committed against the Armenian people. The canvas reflects the deep pain and tragedy experienced by the Armenian nation at the end of the 19th century. Today it is kept in Yerevan, in the National Gallery of Armenia.