Egyptian Masks

"Egyptian Masks" of 1915 has its special place among the other still lives created by Sarian. At first glance it is perceived as a kind of innovative art - a colorful decorative canvas. But the date of its creation, 1915 suggests that the artist expressed his thoughts and feelings as to the massacres in Western Armenia via this work.
The artist reflects sorrow and tears in the eyes of the mask in the upper left corner. There is another mask depicted in the bottom left corner with hardly visible smile of hope. In the top right corner there is one more mask reflecting wonder and anxiety with upraised eyebrows. And finally, in the center of the picture, a bright yellow mask, as if looking from the depth of centuries to the future with a hopeful look. Near the mask one can see a white vase with eternity symbol on top of it in the form of a blue ball.
This combination asserts the main and perspective idea the year 1915 is not the last date of the Armenian history, it is an ordeal, and that Armenians will definitely overcome it in order to continue their mission as one of the ancient nations of the world.