Friday, October 6, 2023, at 1:00pm Eastern / 10:00am Pacific / 9:00pm Armenia
On Zoom and the NAASR YouTube Channel.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Dadourian Foundation.

FEATURING
DR. KAREN MATEVOSYAN, Head of the Department of Study of Art History and Scriptoria, Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts / Matenadaran

TRANSLATOR
SONA BALOYAN, Senior International Relations Specialist at the Matenadaran.

Dr. Matevosyan will speak in Armenian with English translation provided by Sona Baloyan, Senior International Relations Specialist at the Matenadaran.

The works of Armenian medieval mural paintings stand out for their artistic merits, with often original iconography and are of great importance not only for Armenian, but also for world art. Mural painting (fresco) is one of the oldest branches of Armenian art, one which is inextricably linked with architecture. Ancient samples of mural painting in Armenia have been preserved from the times of the Kingdom of Urartu (Ararat), 8-7th centuries BC.

Analysis and preservation efforts directed at Armenian murals have become particularly frequent in the last 15 years. Nevertheless, there is still much to be done towards their documentation and restoration.

Dr. Karen Matevosyan is the author of 25 books (8 co-authored) and more than 114 scientific articles, focusing on the history, architecture, and art (mural miniature painting) of medieval Armenia. A significant number of his works are publications devoted to the history and cultural heritage of Ani. He has worked in the National Gallery of Armenia, holding the position of the Scientific Secretary, and at the Matenadaran as Deputy Director in Scientific Affairs (2018-2023) and currently as Head of the Art History and Scriptoria Centers. He has taught at the Gevorgian Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and at the Pedagogical University named after Khachatur Abovyan. In 2019 he received the St. Sahak and St. Mesrop medal from the Armenian Apostolic Church for his work as an educator and in 2021 was awarded the Gold Medal of the Ministry of Education and Culture “for significant contributions to museum work and long-term activities in the field of culture.”

CO-SPONSORS
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts / Matenadaran
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)