Ervand Kochar Museum is an important research and propaganda center of historic Avant-garde in the region. This fascinating museum does a great job of documenting the life and work of the prolific Armenian painter and sculptor. The museum showcases works created throughout Kochar's career, including Lonely Woman, painted in 1913 when he was only 13. Labels are in English and there is a short film about his most famous piece, the Guernica-like Disaster of War.
Born in Tbilisi in 1899, Kochar studied art there and in Moscow before moving to Paris in 1923, where he exhibited work in shows alongside Georges Braque, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and many other avant-garde masters. In 1936 he relocated to Soviet-ruled Armenia, a move he no doubt regretted after he was imprisoned on politically motivated charges between 1941 and 1943.
One of the best museums in Yerevan. My perception of Kotchar's art is totally transformed. We spent there around 2 hours, while the museum area is so small, but our guide was telling us so many details about Kotchar's life, his challenges and inspirations, what symbols he put into every exhibited work. We totally emerged into athmosphere where artist lived, created, suffered, loved.. I didn't knew the story of his life and it was really breathtaking... Couple of works are so impressive that you may want to spend hours staying in front of it and listening about every symbol hidden in details of a great master. Beside this, we also spent sufficient time in souvenirs shop and couldn't choose which one is the best of the best - we wanted to take all of them with us :)) Our guide also advised to join their facebook page to be notified about art events or visit them on Saturdays for film-watching. Will do it with great pleasure Also location of the museum is great for tourists: they can visit it before taking a walk around Cascade or plan to visit cafe or dining places nearby.