Mateos Papazyants is an important figure in the history of Armenian photography. Little is known about his biography and personal life, but it appears that Papazyants was a well-connected and astute photographer who produced the most significant Armenian photographic publication at the end of the 19th century. Sometime in the 1880s he opened a studio in Ejmiatsin, possibly in the grounds of the holy seat of the Armenian catholicos. The association with the catholicate was productive and Papazyants was enlisted in photographing the clergy as well as religious events. His most important endeavor was a six volume photographic compendium called ‘Hnutyun Vanoreits’ (Antiquities of the Past). Each album described the architectural monuments of a single region in Eastern Armenia – such as Syunik and Gegharkunik. The photographs were accompanied by detailed description of both the architecture and the locations and Papazyants was responsible for the photographs as well as the texts. The entire project took five years to be finished, with the first volume appearing in 1889 and the last one in 1893.

The albums were widely discussed and advertised in the Armenian press of the time and became important documentary sources for many generations of Armenian historians, archaeologists and ethnographers. Unfortunately, Papazyants later fate is shrouded in mystery and it is unknown when he shut down the Ejmiatsin studio and in what circumstances.

Vigen Galstyan, 2016