Months ago, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) of Yerevan received additions, that is, the works by Iranian-Armenian artists, including photographer Antoin Sevruguin and painter André Sevrugian, who are father and son. The donations were made by André’s son, German-Armenian Emmanuel Sevrugian. This highly valuable collection of photos and paintings will be presented at the gallery of the Matenadaran in Emmanuel’s presence tomorrow. Today, Emmanuel Sevrugian met with artists and journalists to talk about the Armenian descent of his talented ancestors. “My father and grandfather are known to the world as Persian, Russian, Georgian and even French artists, but nobody talks about their Armenian descent,” Emmanuel Sevrugian said, as reports armradio.am.

Antoin Sevruguin was born in 1851 in Tehran and studied photography in Tbilisi. Upon his return to Iran, he founded his first photo booth in Tavriz, and due to his high quality and professionalism, entered the royal palace. In 1853, Antoin founded his second photo booth in Tehran.

Thanks to his wonderful portraits, he became the high-level photographer for the palace of Naser Ed-Din Shah and received the title of “Khan”.

Antoin’s son, André Sevrugian was also born in Iran. Like photographer Antoin Sevruguin, his son was also a highly reputable artist. Their works are showcased at the most famous museums around the world. There have been many studies on the unique art of the Sevruguins, and there are even albums.

“Nobody has ever talked about their Armenian descent. They are considered to be Russian, Persian, Georgian and French, but in reality they are Armenian,” says art critic Ivet Tajarian, who was also born in Iran, but has been living in Armenia for many years and has been studying the history of the Sevruguins for nearly 20 years.

During the meeting today, André Sevrugian’s son, Emmanuel Sevrugian told the story of how his family moved from Iran to Austria in 1935 and later to Germany where he currently lives and works. The cultural heritage of father and son Sevrugian is spread across the globe. The largest collection is preserved at one of the prestigious museums of Washington, and Emmanuel Sevrugian donated the Sevrugians’ family collection to the Matenadaran of Yerevan a couple of months ago. This highly valuable collection of photos and paintings will be presented in the homeland tomorrow.