Ervand Kochar Armenian sculptor and artist Date of Birth: 14.07.1899 Country: Armenia

1. Birth and Early Influences
2. Training in Moscow and Paris
3. "Painting in Space" and Return to the USSR
4. Legacy and Recognition

Birth and Early Influences

Yervand Kochar, an Armenian sculptor and painter, was born in 1899 in Tiflis (now Tbilisi) to Simeon Kocharyan, a native of Shushi. From 1906 to 1918, Kochar studied at the Nersisyan Seminary while simultaneously pursuing art classes under the tutelage of Armenian painter Yegishe Tatevosyan.

Training in Moscow and Paris

In 1918-19, Kochar enrolled in the Moscow State Free Art Studios, where he studied under Pyotr Konchalovsky. From 1921 to 1936, he resided in Paris, where he participated in numerous exhibitions and organized five successful solo shows.

"Painting in Space" and Return to the USSR

During his time in France, Kochar developed a distinctive artistic technique known as "Painting in Space," which incorporated time as a fourth dimension. In 1936, he returned to the Soviet Union, facing accusations of formalism and persecution. Despite the challenges, he continued to create significant works, including the "Ecstasy" and "Horrors of War" paintings as well as sculptures such as "Eagle of Zvartnots" and "David of Sassoum."

Legacy and Recognition

Yervand Kochar passed away in Yerevan in 1979. In 1984, the Yervand Kochar Museum was established in Yerevan, showcasing his extensive body of work. His innovative "Spatial Painting" series can be found at the museum and at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Kochar remains a revered figure in Armenian art and a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression in the face of adversity.