About Us
AVN Holdings gives new breath to Armenian miniature painting. Specialists near and far attest to the exceptional values of Armenian miniature painting, its artistic significance, elegance, and undeniable luxurious and unique nature. Aware of the challenges facing Armenia today, AVN Holdings has undertaken an initiative to present examples of these uniquely Armenian treasures to the world. As a result of an in-depth study of Armenian miniature art, its color combinations, and various Armenian Medieval paintings, artist Levon Zakyan has created these Armenian sacred icons. Being one of the most dedicated specialists of our time, the artist has dedicated his life to Armenian miniature painting. As one of the very few living artists who fully master the nuances of miniature painting and its secrets, he feels a strong sense of responsibility to revive the medium and to share his original paintings and reproductions with others, particularly the next generations. AVN Holdings is devoted to reviving one of the best artistic representations of Armenian religious and cultural tradition. We aspire to enlighten by presenting and disseminating high-quality original Armenian miniature paintings and reproductions of historical masterpieces. Get inspired by purchasing a cultural treasure of historical significance even while living miles away from Armenia. Owning one of Levon Zakyan’s works will allow you to pass on an ancestral national treasure from one generation to another.
Levon Zakyan
Levon Zakyan – Fine Arts Painter, specializing in sacred miniatures and frescoes.
Mr. Zakyan was born in Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, in 1972, where he attended Yerevan Basic School No. 136. He began his study of painting at the State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia (formerly Yerevan State Institute of Fine Arts). He studied at the Miniatures Department of the 14th Art College.
In 1990, he worked as a technical architect and was involved in the renovations of the Amaras Monastery in Artsakh.
From 1990 to 1992, through the mediation of Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan, he worked as a researcher for the Diocese of Artsakh at the Matenadaran and illustrated books for children.
In 1993, by the order of the Prelate of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, Archbishop Garegin Nersisyan, illustrated religion textbooks.
In 1993, under the auspices of Catholicos Vazgen I, he founded and directed the Qanaker Miniature Painting Center, where he taught miniature painting.
In 2001, he was commissioned to create a series of miniatures with the support of the Mekhitarist Congregation to mark the celebration of the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. In parallel, he opened a series of exhibitions in Yerevan, and the Dioceses of the Ararat, Gyumri, and Stepanakert.
By the order of Catholicos Garegin II, he created icons, illustrations, and works dedicated to the creation of the Armenian alphabet, the Consecration of the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Antelias, Lebanon, and other sacred works.
He illustrated conduct for the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and created an icon of Gregory the Illuminator. Under the patronage of the Mekhitarist Congregation, he had solo exhibitions on St. Lazarus Island, Italy dedicated to St. Gregory Narekatsi and the Holy Cross.
He has illustrated religion textbooks for World Vision Armenia.
Currently, Mr. Zakyan is commissioned to create icons for various dioceses and churches in Armenia and abroad. He has created many icons and has made fresco paintings with historical Armenian themes in several churches and religious buildings, including:
- Candle-Lighting Hall at Holy Etchmiadzin;
- Holy Trinity Church in Yerevan ;
- Surb Astvatsatsin and Grigor Narekatsi Churches and Tsitsernak Camp’s Chapel in Vanadzor;
- Amenaprkich and St. Hakob Churches in Gyumri;
- Saint Hovhannes Church in Arinj;
- Avan Mekhitarist Congregation Chapel and St. Anna Church in Yerevan;
- Armenian Church in Kharkiv, Ukraine;
- Armenian Church in Saratov, Russia;
- The Armenian Diocese in Moscow
Mr. Zakyan has been commissioned by AVN Holdings LLC to create a series of icons inspired by the Armenian Church and the Royal House of Cilicia, using traditional designs along with his unique style and proprietary motifs to reintroduce the art of traditional Armenian medieval miniatures to the public.
