France-based Armenian sculptor Arestakes Nevcheherlian, the author of the bust of Armenian alphabet inventor Mesrop Mashtots, installed in France’s city of Alfortville on September 19, created the appearance of Mashtots through his own interpretation.  

Referring to the criticism on the sculpture, Nevcheherlian told Armenian News - NEWS.am that he had tried to find information about the description of Mesrop Mashtots, but wasn’t able to find such.

“There are different pictures and statues of Mesrop Mashtots, which were created by different interpretations, and are not similar. His student Koryun also wrote nothing about his appearance,” the sculptor said. 

According to him, the picture of Mesrop Mashtots depicted on textbooks and the statue installed in front of Armenia’s Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran, are also different.

“I’d like very much to create the perfect bust of Mesrop Mashtots, but, unfortunately, couldn’t find any precise information on his appearance. So, I decided to carve his bust according to my perception,” Nevcheherlian said.

According to the sculptor, the bust of Mesrop Mashtots was installed in the park near the European Square upon the order of the Mayor. The opening ceremony of the bust was attended by the Mayor of Alfortville Luc Carvounas, representatives of Armenian organizations and top officials.

Arestakes Nevcheherlian was born in 1957 in Yerevan. He moved to France in 1969. Nevcheherlian is a renowned sculptor in France and has been awarded several prizes.