“Carnival” – oil on canvas painting

Art Historical Context

Carnival recalls the lyrical abstraction of the mid-20th century, where emotional intensity was conveyed through vibrant color fields and gestural brushwork. At the same time, Manoukian’s stylized human forms bear resemblance to the works of Marc Chagall, particularly in their dreamlike atmosphere and themes of festivity and love. The painting also carries echoes of Fauvism, with its bold, unblended colors, and of German Expressionism, where figures are simplified yet emotionally charged.

Like Gustav Klimt, Manoukian creates a decorative surface in which ornamental motifs and expressive colors heighten the sensuality of the scene. Yet, the work also engages with the social dimension of painting, situating his figures in moments of shared joy reminiscent of Impressionist soirées by artists like Renoir, reinterpreted through a distinctly modern and abstract lens.

Carnival stands as both a celebration of human gathering and a meditation on the fleeting, almost musical nature of experience, positioning Manoukian within a lineage of painters who balance figuration and abstraction to capture the essence of life.