Artist Narimanbekov's works displayed at Moscow exhibition
By Nazrin Gadimova
An exhibition dedicated to the memory of famous Azerbaijani artist Togrul Narimanbekov kicked off in Moscow on November 14
The event is organized by the Azerbaijan Cultural Center and the Mardjani Foundation and will run until December 15.
The Mardjani Foundation reported that the exhibition presents 40 illustrations by the artist for the Book of Dede Gorgud, retold by famous Azerbaijani writer Anar. The works presented at the exhibition were created by the artist at the request of the foundation during the period of 2009 to 2011.
Narimanbekov lived a rich and creative life that was full of experiences, managed to keep the utmost clarity of perception, and remained committed to his principles of internal freedom, objectivity, and independence of thought.
The keynote of Narimanbekov's creative work was endless love for his homeland and hometown. With great affection, he painted historic monuments such as the Old City and the Maiden Tower in Baku, and the ornamental minarets of ancient mosques.
His first work, "Dawn over the Caspian Sea", created in 1957 and presented at an exhibition in Moscow, made him famous. "Dawn over the Caspian Sea" amazed and captivated art lovers with its extraordinary approach to the subject of labor, romantic elation, distinctive personal pictorial language, and the sincerity of images. This triumph was repeated at exhibitions in Kiev, Riga and Tbilisi, as well as in foreign countries.
His success continued by the creation of such works as "Farther out to Sea", "Overpass", and "Stronger than Storm." His landscapes are not just colorful, bright, and decorative, they also reflect the artist's extraordinary love for his native land.
Artist's romantic paintings which are full of rich colors lacked illusory and false pathos, and shifted into the category of panoramic wall paintings easily and naturally: Narimanbekov designed many administrative and cultural buildings. He is designer of the famous Puppet Theater in Baku.
In his still-life paintings, everything is expressive and large-scale: huge pomegranates, pumpkins, melons, and watermelons. He did not allow himself to draw small paintings depicting miniature abundance.
The painter's artistic language is so versatile and rich that it is extremely difficult to attribute it to any specific trend in art.
His decorative and festive creations go back to the national traditions of Azerbaijani art color rhythm, and stand out for their lively brushstrokes and sonority of colors
The portraits, landscapes, and still-life paintings drawn by the artist are displayed in prestigious exhibitions, art galleries, and art museums, and are kept in various private collections.