Hakob Hovnatanian occupies a special place in Armenian painting for brilliant artistry in his portraits. He is responsible for the linking of Armenian paintings with secular paintings.
   Hakob Hovnatanian was born in Tiflis in 1806. His father, a novice icon painter, first instructed him in the arts. Hakob Hovnatanian attempted to enter the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts of Petersburg, but was not considered old enough. However, he would eventually continue his work in Tiflis. He perfected his technique and acquired widespread fame. More than fifty of the artist's portraits painted from the late 1820's and the early 30's down to the 70's, have been preserved. Hakob Hovnatanian achieved an accomplished technique as a portraitist in the 40's and particularly the 50's. The portraits he did of Melikova and the Catholics Nerses Ashtaraketsi's, as well as those of the Unknown Official and his wife are considered comparable to the best works of his contemporaries both in Western Europe and Russia. His women's portraits are especially remarkable. Among them the one he did of Salome Andronikashvili and Natalia Teumian, which depict with exceptional charm the images of the two young women. The artist had a rather short-lived success with clients among the Tiflis bourgeoisie.
   The painter was forced to move to Iran where he stayed till his death in 1881.Hakob Hovnatanian's artwork was well forgotten after he died. Only when Armenia became a more established state did his canvases start showing up in the collections of the State Art Gallery of Armenia in Yerevan and the Fine Arts Museum of Georgia. At first the study of Hakob Hovnatanian's portraits raised certain difficulties, due to the fact that the painter did not practice the art of signing and dating his works. However, in the course of time were discovered several portraits whose authorship was beyond doubt, as it was confirmed in writing by the painter's descendants. This applies, for instance, to Nerses Ashtaraketsi's portrait, which was presented to the Museum of Echmiadzin by the artist's daughter with a conclusive dedication. On a portrait of one of the youths of the Beybutov clan is to be found a note indicating not only the year but also the very day it was completed. On another portrait was found the painter's signature in Russian. A few more similar noteworthy clues entitled the specialists to attribute the artist's portraits, to tell them from the works of his imitators and ascertain the approximate date of their execution. Hakob Hovnatanian's work is profoundly national and at the same time has its individual profile. Moreover, undoubtedly the painter has worked out his high proficiency through a close acquaintance and study of not only Russian, but also West European painters and accordingly can be classed with the prominent artists of other countries and peoples. The Armenian people are entitled to be proud of Hakob Hovnatanian, since the painter's art is one of the remarkable landmarks of their millennial culture.