Last updated: 20 Dec 2024
Artoon Baths
January 1992
Brush and paper
Watercolour
Landscape
Impressionism
The original I believe was from Chahbazian and I did a couple of versions. One was dedicated to Uncle Mehdi and Melinda in the US, and this one was dedicated to my mom in Tehran. Arton is our maternal ancestral home. I might have modified it a bit to look more like what at the time of my painting the scene looked like.
1. Medium: Watercolor on paper
2. Shapes and objects:
- A cluster of small buildings or houses in the middle ground, nestled in a mountainous landscape
- Several tall, thin trees (possibly cypress or poplar) near the buildings
- A winding path or road leading to the cluster of buildings
- In the foreground:
- Rocky or uneven terrain with small stones or pebbles
- A wooden fence or railing on the left side
- Suggestions of low vegetation or shrubs
- In the background:
- Dramatic mountain peaks with snow-capped summits
- Lower hills or foothills in varying shades
- Sky with subtle cloud formations and hints of blue
- Small human figures visible near the buildings
- Possible livestock (sheep or goats) in the middle distance
3. Colours:
- Buildings: Warm browns and ochres for walls, some with reddish-brown roofs
- Trees: Dark green with touches of brown and yellow
- Foreground terrain: Various shades of brown, tan, and orange
- Mountains: Shades of purple, blue, and gray for distant peaks; greens and browns for closer hills
- Sky: Pale blue with hints of yellow and pink, suggesting early morning or late afternoon light
- Overall palette: A mix of warm earth tones in the foreground transitioning to cooler hues in the background
4. Narrative: This painting depicts a small mountain village or settlement, possibly in a region like the Andes or Himalayas. The scene captures the harmony between human habitation and the majestic natural surroundings. The winding path and the placement of buildings suggest adaptation to the challenging terrain. The inclusion of human figures and possible livestock adds a sense of scale and daily life. The dramatic mountain backdrop creates a sense of awe and emphasizes the grandeur of the natural world. The overall atmosphere suggests a remote, peaceful existence in a breathtaking landscape.
5. Original Artist: While this is an original work by Mehrdad Fahimi (as evidenced by the signature visible in the bottom right), the style and subject matter show influences from various sources. The loose, expressive watercolor technique and the way the landscape is rendered bring to mind the work of British artist Edward Seago, known for his atmospheric landscapes. The subject matter - a mountain village - and the use of color are reminiscent of some works by Nicholas Roerich, a Russian painter known for his Himalayan landscapes. However, Fahimi's unique style is evident in the balance between detailed elements (like the buildings and foreground) and the more impressionistic treatment of the background. This painting showcases Fahimi's skill in capturing the essence of a place through careful composition and a nuanced use of color and light.
Details
Type
artwork
Created At
25 May 2023