André Sevruguin

André Sevruguin (2 May 1896, Tehran – 18 December 1996, Stuttgart; Persian: آندره سوریوگین; Armenian: Անդրե Սևրուկյան ), known as Darvish (Persian: درویش; Armenian: Դարվիշ), was a prominent Iranian-Armenian miniature painter of a Georgian descent, and one of the well-known figures in Iranian painting, particularly known for his coffeehouse paintings.

Biography Sevruguin, known as Darvish, was the son of Antoin Sevruguin, a prominent Iranian photographer, and Louise Gourgenian.

He completed his education in Tehran, at St. Louis School and later worked as an educator at the same institution. After a period of teaching, he devoted his life to painting.

Following years of work in Iran, Sevruguin moved to Vienna and eventually settled in Germany.

Sevruguin's style and approach to depicting subjects were distinct from any traditional or contemporary styles of Shahnameh illustrations. He fused the Persian miniature techniques of Safavid-era masters, like Kamal-ud-Din Behzad and Reza Abbasi, with modern painting techniques, producing highly valuable works.

He held numerous exhibitions in cities such as Vienna, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, and London, achieving success as an Iranian miniaturist and gaining international fame. His works are now housed in various museums worldwide including Tehran Museum of Contemporary art, Museum der Weltkulturen, Armenian Museum in America and National Museum of Armenia.

Sevruguin died in 1996, aged 100, in Stuttgart, Germany.