Simon Agopyan

Background

Simon Agopyan was born in Samatya, a district in Constantinople in 1857.

Education

He completed his early education at the Horenyan School in Narlikapi and the Sahakyan School in Samatya.

Career

He took private lessons from the respect Armenian painter Telemak Ekserciyan and entered the Academy of Fine Arts in 1994, graduating in 1888. While studying at the Academy, Agopyan was classmates with Armenian painter Arshak Fetvadjian. Upon graduation, Agopyan was awarded first place for a large painting entitled The Imperial at Eminonu which he executed for his finals.

This painting was later purchased by Alexander Vallaury, an architect of the late Ottoman period.

He continued his work in his studio in Samatya until 1895, and from then on worked in Beyoğlu. His address was 48 Rue Kechich, Feriköy.

From 1883 onward, Agopyan taught art at the Berberyan and Mezburyan schools in Üsküdar, and at the Esayan School near Taksim Square. In 1911 his studio was above the Apollan Photography Studio, and one of the portraits commissioned by Apollon was that of Mehmed Resad which is in the Military Museum in Istanbul.

He gave art lessons to the Ottoman princes and other amateurs, and one of his pupils was the painter Vahram Manavyan.

Simon Agopyan died on 16 May 1921 and is buried at the Şişli Armenian Cemetery.

Achievements

• He won a prize at the Marseille Exhibition for a portrait of his father.