Ararat / Urartu

24"x20", oil on linen (2013)

"Torch-bearing Armenian King Sardur II (ruled 764-735 BCE) signals his troops to march forward."  This title was given to the painting by Armenologist and Historian, Gevork Nazaryan.

I have been interested in painting Armenian kingdom of Ararat/Urartu ever since Soviet Armenia celebrated 2750th anniversary of the city of Yerevan in 1968.  I was there at the time and painted "King Argishti Entering the Temple of God Teishebaini", which was exhibited in the show organized by the Artists Union of Armenia.  The painting received positive response from the press and was bought from the show by Ministry of Culture of Armenia.  My interest in painting on the theme of Urartu/Ararat continued and I’ve painted more paintings since arriving in the U.S., which are now in private collections. Unfortunately, I don't have access to all of them to post them here.

These paintings are from my recent work.

"Urartian Woman Milling Flour by Hand with Quern Stone", 24"x18", oil on linen (2013)

"Lady of Urartu", 24"x36", handmade alkyd paint on linen (2005)

"Urartian Sculptor", 16"x20", oil on linen (2003)

Battle of Haik and Bel

60"x50", oil on linen (1984)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

36"x30", oil on linen (2013)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

These paintings show the battle between Haik and Babylonian Bel, who was a self-proclaimed god and wanted to establish his domination over Armenia.  It happened on August 11, 2492 B.C.  August 11 is the same day that God landed Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat.  This suggests that the same God was moving the hand of Haik, who struck Bel with his arrow.  The same day, August 11th, became the beginning of the Armenian calendar and is called 'Navasard', the day of the New Year.

In these paintings, I did not follow the story that the fight happened in the region of Van and any other details that were not essential for me.  The main thrust of these paintings is to show that Haik was defending Armenia.  I chose to paint Mount Ararat in the background as a symbol of Armenia.

Nane (Goddess of Victory, Wisdom, and War)

"Nane", 16"x20", oil on linen (2013)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

I did this study of Nane (Goddess of Victory, Wisdom, and War), to be used as a character for Armenian mythology and historical paintings that I am planning to paint in the future.

Last Battle of Queen Pharandzem

"Last Battle of Queen Pharandzem", 32"x44", oil on linen (2013)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

Some time ago, Ani Hayaserian posted on her site my painting "Girl with Shield" and called it "Queen Pharandzem". She noted that there was no painting by an Armenian artist of Queen Pharandzem, and so I decided to paint the Queen. I gathered as much information as I could find and began sketching the composition directly on the canvas, as I always do.  As the painting was advancing, I needed more information about this subject matter. Fortunately, I was communicating with a friend in Armenia who lives in Armavir and has wealth of knowledge of Armenian history, Surik Asmaryan.  He gave me valuable information on the historical details of this queen and answered my questions about the fortress, etc. that I needed for advancing the composition.

Pharandzem bravely defended Armenia at the fortress of Artogerassa for 14 months from invading Persian forces in the 4th century.  Regrettably, there were not any more powerful Armenian Gods and Goddesses to help the Queen to win her battle against her enemies.

My sincere thanks to Surik and Ani.

Coffee Ritual

"Coffee Ritual" by Rubik Kocharian, 22"x42", oil on linen (2000)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

She is Ethiopian.  We were having coffee and she said that having coffee in her country is a ritual for Mother Earth. I asked her to bring her coffee set and her Ethiopian dress. She came for the sitting for the painting with her husband (who is also Ethiopian) who knew more about the ritual.  He told me that they would sit on small mattresses outdoors; if they cannot be outside then they bring some grass and surround with the grass the area were they are going to drink coffee. They had a specially made coffee set and incense burner that is for burning incense during the time of drinking coffee. By drinking coffee they were getting connected with Mother Earth who they call Nefertiti.  The brick wall in the background and the red Bougainvillea flower are common in their country.

Mountain Song

"Mountain Song" by Rubik Kocharian, 24"x36", oil on linen (2002)
[Copyright Rubik Kocharian.  All rights reserved.
Repost or copy only with full credit to the artist and without modification.]

"Mountain Song" painting is based on real people: my friends Dany and Maggie. The girl is Hopi and her husband playing the flute is Navajo - a seldom combination in Native American marriage. While painting them, Dany was playing the flute that he had made himself.  The melody was forbidden by their laws to play for outsiders, but they liked me so much that he and his wife made an exception and I was honored to hear the wonderful 'Mountain Song' in my studio. Maggie is a poet and was reading her poetry for me and my wife; it was making us cry. It was an exceptional experience.  To meet these people and have them pose for me and to feel so close left me with unusual experience that stood in my memory.