The painting Persia by Martiros Saryan, 1913, depicting a fragment of Persian life, is currently under restoration.

Director of the Museum Ruzanna Saryan told journalists that the picture was damaged yet during the life of the artist due to the lack of heating system. The painting was submitted to the journalists’ assessment after the first stage of restoration, that is, ink fixation.

As the Director noted, the painting is depicted by tempera ink. However, there were attempts to “restore” it with oil ink. It is allegedly unknown who and why tried to do so. No information was given during a 20-minute press conference on funds already having been spent and funds yet to be spent for restoration. Only head of the restoration department of Milan Center for the Factual Account and Study of Armenian Culture Gayane Kaznati announced that Foreign Ministry of Italy has allotted 5 000 euros for restoration of the painting.

The restoration is being carried out within the joint program between the Armenian Ministry of Culture and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.