Kontradjian is one of the exceptional figures of Armenian painting art. He had a tragic destiny. Born in Edessa (Urfa), he lost his parents in 1915 and lived in the orphanage of Aleppo where he was also given his first lessons of painting. In 1923 he came to Paris and studied, at the Academy of Montparnasse and the studio of F. Leger. From 1930 he was a regular contributor to the Salon d'Automne and even member of the Jury. Inspired by the art of Cezanne, in his works Kontradjian paid more attention to emotions and profound feelings. He loved to depict the surroundings of Paris and the working districts of the city, the Seine and the bridges across it. In 1935, the famous critic Camille Moreau wrote: ""I was glad to see Kontradjian's landscapes. He has a rare vision and sensitive feeling for the true essence of those suburbs of Paris which would seem to be deprived of beauty"". The leitmotiv of his art is bitterness and loneliness, and we sense dark anticipation and sorrowful dreaming, but behind it all lies the artist himself with his pure spirit and immense love. In 1939 Kontradjian was called to join the army. After the victory in 1945 he exhibited in Paris together with Picasso. Leger and Gromaire. Two years later the artist decided to return to his homeland Soviet Armenia. But unfortunately, unable to overcome his loneliness and unfamiliar conditions of Soviet way of life, he committed suicide, leaving behind him a number of superb works, in which French refinement joins the dreamy heart of an Armenian.