Natavan school in Paris has hosted an event in memory of the
outstanding representative of Azerbaijani art, Togrul Narimanbayov,
Azernews reports.
The event held at the Cultural Center, operating at the
Azerbaijani Embassy in France, was timed to the 11th anniversary of
the artist’s death.
A master class was held for students of Natavan school, where
they created art works inspired by Togrul Narimanbayov’s art.
The participants of the master class were provided with detailed
information about the artist’s creative activities.
Togrul Narimanbayov is an outstanding representative of the
Azerbaijani art of painting, laureate of State Prizes of the USSR
and the Republic of Azerbaijan, People’s Artist of the USSR and
Azerbaijan.
His first painting “Dawn over the Caspian” (1957) was on display
at the exhibition in Moscow.
The painting fascinated art lovers with an unconventional
approach to the topic of work, a romantic uplift, distinctive
individual pictorial language, sincerity and intimacy of the
captured images.
The master of brush gained worldwide fame for his works in all
genres of fine arts. His bright works created in various fields
such as landscapes, portraits, monumental paintings, illustrations
and theater painting are characterized by genre diversity,
aesthetic perfection and a unique style.
Togrul Narimanbayov loved to paint very large canvases and
murals, some of which can be seen at the Baku Puppet Theater.
He also designed sets for ballets by Azerbaijani composers and
did a magnificent set of illustrations for a 1988 edition of the
Turkic epic “The Book of Dada Gorgud”.
In his art, Togrul Narimanbayov brilliantly synthesized East and
West. He always admired French Romanticism, while his favorite
artists were Eugene Delacroix and Gustave Courbet.
One can describe his drawings as a fairy tale, inviting one to a
far away wonderland.
Despite the pressures on Soviet artists to conform to Socialist
Realism, he remained true to his own expressive, emotional
style.
The leitmotif of Togrul Narimanbayov’s art was his great love
for his native country. With special tenderness and trembling he
drew the Old City, the Maiden Tower, minarets of ancient
mosques.
The rich traditions of Azerbaijani art, samples of antique
miniatures and carpet weaving played a great role in the
development of Togrul Narimanbayov, as a great master.
Togrul Narimanbayov also influenced the formation of artistic
and aesthetic vision of many artists.
One of the biggest achievements of the artist is his
contribution to the creation of Azerbaijani classical painting,
helping the country to define its cultural identity and
originality.
The prominent artist died in 2013 at the age of 83 in Paris,
leaving behind an astounding long legacy in contemporary art.
The artist’s daughter, Asmar Narimanbayova, also devoted herself
to the art.
Her art works have been showcased in many prestigious galleries
and museums not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the USA, France,
Germany, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Finland, and
China.
Narimanbayova’s art never ceases to amaze with a riot of
colors.
Founded by Asmar Narimanbayova, Togrul Narimanbayova Association
aims to strengthen cultural ties between Azerbaijan and France.
Togrul Narimanbayov’s Association is actively involved in the
promotion of young talents from around the world.
The association successfully cooperates with leading world
organizations.
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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr
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