Sattar Bahlulzade
Encyclopedia
Sattar Bahlulzade is the founder of contemporary Azerbaijan
i landscape painting. He began his professional education at the National Art Institute in Baku
(1927–1931). In 1933, he went to Moscow
to continue his education in the Drawing Department at the Moscow Fine Arts Institute. There he studied in the studio of V.A. Favorsky. During the summer workshops in Crimea
, Russian painter G.Shegal saw some of Sattar's sketches and suggested that he transfer to the Institute's Painting Department. So he did.
Though he experimented in various genres of art, his unique talent was landscape painting. At first, he used to paint nature realistically as he had been taught. But soon he developed his own style to express the emotional feeling it invoked in him. This new style was more surreal and cosmic. In fact, some of his paintings are reminiscent of photos of the earth taken from space. Using a combination of pastel colors and bold strokes, he made nature look more colorful and lively, and sometimes even more fantastic, than it did in reality.
Sattar loved to travel around his country – Azerbaijan – exploring its beauty. Once he remarked, "I don't need to go to Tahiti like Gauguin. My inspiration comes from my own country and people."
Many of his works depict specific areas of Azerbaijan. For instance, "Bazarduzu Outskirts" features Bazarduzu, the highest point of the Grand Caucasus Mountains. Other examples include "Old Shamakhi" and "Autumn in Nakhchivan."
Bahlulzade won many prizes for his art. He received the title of Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1960 and was named People's Artist in 1963.
In 1973, Sattar fell extremely ill with a case of blood poisoning. When Sattar died in 1974, he was not buried in the Avenue of the Honored Ones as might have been expected. Instead, according to his will, he was laid to rest in his native village of Amirjan (Azerbaijan), next to his mother's grave.
Sattar's legacy includes countless works that have been exhibited all over the world, including personal exhibitions in the U.S., England, Turkey and Russia. He also created around 30 sketch diaries that contain his reflections on life and art.
Most of his works are exhibited in museums all over Azerbaijan
, particularly in the cities like Baku
, Ganja
and Nakhchivan. Some of his most brilliant works are:
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
i landscape painting. He began his professional education at the National Art Institute in Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
(1927–1931). In 1933, he went to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
to continue his education in the Drawing Department at the Moscow Fine Arts Institute. There he studied in the studio of V.A. Favorsky. During the summer workshops in Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
, Russian painter G.Shegal saw some of Sattar's sketches and suggested that he transfer to the Institute's Painting Department. So he did.
Though he experimented in various genres of art, his unique talent was landscape painting. At first, he used to paint nature realistically as he had been taught. But soon he developed his own style to express the emotional feeling it invoked in him. This new style was more surreal and cosmic. In fact, some of his paintings are reminiscent of photos of the earth taken from space. Using a combination of pastel colors and bold strokes, he made nature look more colorful and lively, and sometimes even more fantastic, than it did in reality.
Sattar loved to travel around his country – Azerbaijan – exploring its beauty. Once he remarked, "I don't need to go to Tahiti like Gauguin. My inspiration comes from my own country and people."
Many of his works depict specific areas of Azerbaijan. For instance, "Bazarduzu Outskirts" features Bazarduzu, the highest point of the Grand Caucasus Mountains. Other examples include "Old Shamakhi" and "Autumn in Nakhchivan."
Bahlulzade won many prizes for his art. He received the title of Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1960 and was named People's Artist in 1963.
In 1973, Sattar fell extremely ill with a case of blood poisoning. When Sattar died in 1974, he was not buried in the Avenue of the Honored Ones as might have been expected. Instead, according to his will, he was laid to rest in his native village of Amirjan (Azerbaijan), next to his mother's grave.
Sattar's legacy includes countless works that have been exhibited all over the world, including personal exhibitions in the U.S., England, Turkey and Russia. He also created around 30 sketch diaries that contain his reflections on life and art.
Most of his works are exhibited in museums all over Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, particularly in the cities like Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Ganja
Ganja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
and Nakhchivan. Some of his most brilliant works are:
- Gudialchay valley (1953)
- Evening above Caspian Sea (1959)
- Spring of my Native Land (1967)
External links
- Sattar Bahlulzade, The Vibrant Pulse of Nature Azerbaijan International Magazine
- View Bahlulzade paintings at AZgallery.org.
- Sattar Bahlulzadeh
- Bahlulzadeh in headlines