THE PAINTERS OF SORROW. Cont'd.
JANSEM (Jan-Hovanes
Semerdjian) 1920
After the Second World War a realist artistic expression dominated the art communities in France. This new trend depicted sentiments of solitude, sadness, and intellectual existentialism. This movement became the main vehicle of expression for numerous avant-garde artists including Jansem. He lost his father at an early age. This paternal loss deeply affected his artistic creativity. In addition to this unfortunate mishap, Jansem had a very tough time throughout his life. This is evidenced and reflected in his works, particularly in some of his masterpieces, such as "The Woman with Indian Corn".
Photo:The Market, 197
Jansem
was a proud man with deep scars in his heart. In Paris, he lived in
quasi-seclusion and kept his thoughts and his personal feelings to himself.
But, once he began to paint, those very inner feelings exited his solitude.
French critics called him "The Artist of Les Miserables." Even though, sadness
and loneliness dominated his entire life, his art remained sublime, rich and
vibrant with feelings, dialogue with human nature and concerns about the
under-privileged, the poor and the needy.
His strokes were a painful and evocative screaming. Pale colors, soft lines, pensive faces and serenity of his subjects reflected the pain he buried in his heart and revolt against the injustice of the world. No wonder, why he loved Goya so much!
Photos, left: Claudius, 1973. Right: Homage to Goya, 1978.