People's Artist of Azerbaijan Mikayil Abdullayev
People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor Mikayil Huseyn oghlu Abdullayev, was born on December 19, 1921, in Baku. Mikayil Abdullayev studied at Secondary School No. 21 in Baku. He graduated from the A. Azimzadeh Art School in 1939 and the V.I. Surikov Moscow State Art Institute in 1949, and learned the intricacies of painting in the workshops of Igor Grobar, Grigory Shegal, and Sergey Gerasimov. The Impressionist movement had a significant influence on his works. During his studies in Moscow, Mikayil Abdullayev frequently visited the Tretyakov and Pushkin Museums of Fine Arts, where he observed the works of great artists such as Cranach, Rubens, Serov, Vrubel, and Repin. During his student years in Baku, he primarily depicted the landscapes, studies, and natural places of Absheron. His works, "Usurpers," "Hasan Bey Zardabi," "Advice," and "At Moscow University," gained him high popularity while he was studying in Moscow.
During 1942-43, Mikayil Abdullayev focused on painting portraits of well-known figures, including Uzeyir Hajibeyli, Jafar Jabbarli, and Samad Vurghun, among others. At the age of 20, he portrayed Uzeyir Bey while he was still alive, and this work was highly appreciated. The nationally colorful composition "Evening," which he painted while in Shusha, won an award at the All-Union Gallery in Moscow. His "portrait gallery" also embodies portraits of "Imadaddin Nasimi," "M.P. Vagif," "Ashig Alasgar," "M.F. Akhundov," "Academician Yusif Mammadaliyev," "Hundred-year-old shabaka artist A. Babayev," "Poet Rasul Rza," "Pianist F. Badalbeyli," "Abu Ali ibn Sina," and others.
M. Abdullayev received the honorary title of Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1955. In 1958, he was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Arts. The talented artist was honored with the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1963, the Jawaharlal Nehru Award in 1969, and the State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1974.
Mikayil Abdullayev was an artist with comprehensive knowledge. He tried his hand in all areas of fine arts, including easel painting, graphics, theater decoration, and monumental painting. In each, the artist created genuine masterpieces that reflected his unique creative style.
During this period, the artist also created several pieces that form the "My Countrymen" series. Examples of this include the triptych "In the Azerbaijani Steppes," the diptych "Rice Growers," "Old Shepherd," "Girls from Masalli," "Girl from Lankaran," "In Absheron," "In the Field," and other notable works. While watching the diptych "Rice Growers," one can sense the romanticism of the rural theme and the hard work of the brave Azerbaijani woman expressed in convincing colors. For this masterpiece, the artist was awarded the State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1974.
M. Abdullayev traveled to many countries around the world, including Italy (1956) and India (1957). His works, including "Women of Jaipur," "Bengali Girls," "Little Chandra," "Far Away in Jaipur," and "Women of Rajasthan," among others, are among the most successful in the artist's "India Series."
M. Abdullayev was also active in graphic art, and he provided artistic design for several theater performances.
The works of the prominent artist are housed in several museums around the world. He had solo exhibitions in Delhi, London, Montreal, Moscow, and several other cities worldwide. He was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR (5th-9th convocation) several times. He was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the October Revolution. The state has always had the highest regard for M. Abdullayev’s work. Great leader Heydar Aliyev awarded M. Abdullayev the "Istiglal" Order and an individual scholarship of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan during the years of independence.
Mikayil Abdullayev is the creator of a unique "New Miniature Style," combining the progressive traditions of Eastern and Western art. A skilled painter and talented artist, Mikayil Abdullayev, in addition to his productivity, innovation, and nationalism in painting, played a significant role in educating the young generation of artists of his time.
Mikayil Abdullayev died on August 21, 2002, at the age of 80.
Recommended literature:
- Mikayıl Abdullayev : 1921-2002: rəngkarlıq, qrafika = Mikayil Abdullayev : 1921-2002: painting, grapic arts / layihənin rəh. Ç. Fərzəliyev ; mətnin müəl. Ə. Məmmədova ; ing. dilinə tərc.: E. Paşayev, N. Əliyev, Ə. Məlikova ; fotoqr. Ə. Ağasiyev. - Bakı : Şərq-Qərb, 2013. - 104 s.
- Mikayıl Abdullayev : rəngkarlıq və qrafika = Mikayil Abdullayev : Painting & Graphics / Xalq Bank ; mətnin müəl. Ş. Y. Məlikova ; layihənin rəh. R. Həşimov ; red. S. Babullaoğlu. - Bakı : n. y., 2013. - 277 s.
- Quliyev, Əsəd Məhəmməd oğlu. XX əsr Azərbaycan incəsənəti haqqında oçerklər / Ə. M. Quliyev ; elmi red. K. M. Əliyeva ; ön sözün müəl. Ö. H. Eldarov ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Mədəniyyət və Turizm Nazirliyi. - Bakı : Təhsil, 2012. - 168 s.