Background

Nadir Abdurrahmanov was born on December 5, 1925 in Lachin, Azerbaijan. His family had arrived there from Shusha - the land of his ancestors. His parents were Gambar Abdurrahmanov, who was the head of Lachin’s Department of Health, and Movsume khanim Abdurrahmanova. Nadir Abdurrahmanov also had a brother, Babir Abdurrahmanov.

It was in 1933 when the Abdurrahmanovs moved to Baku and Gambar was assigned to head the administration of pharmacy. Nadir’s father went on business trips in Karabakh quite often and took Nadir with him.

A completely new life started in Baku. Nadir Abdurrahmanov recalled his childhood as a happy and carefree period.

Nadir grew up a strong, brave and athletic man; he did gymnastics and played basketball, but more than anything else he liked drawing. He often drew together with his cousin Jalal Qaryaghdi, who became a famous sculptor.

Education

At the age of 14, Nadir Abdurrahmanov started to paint at the Republic’s Children’s Art Studio. Teachers from the Secondary School of Art attached to the USSR’s Academy of Arts in Moscow (now Russian Academy of Arts), which was also famous as a school for talented children, saw Abdurrahmanov's paintings there. They invited him to study at their school and in 1940 he became a student and spent two years there.

However, World War II brought him back to Baku, and in 1942 Abdurrahmanov joined the second year at the Azim Azimzadeh College of Art. Even though he spent only one year there, it was a significant year for him, because he had outstanding teachers, included Mikayil Abdullayev and Beyukaga Mirzazade. Besides, that year-long education was both rich and interesting and it opened up new combinations of colour and shape in art for Abdurrahmanov.

However, his father, who was keen on the development of medicine in the country, wanted to see his son succeed to his profession, and as a good son Nadir obeyed his father’s wish. Nadir Abdurrahmanov was admitted to the therapy faculty of the Baku Medical Institute (now Azerbaijan Medical University). He continued doing sports, attending sessions of gymnastics, and was even in the team which performed in demonstrations of gymnastics in Moscow’s Red Square in a parade dedicated to the anniversary of the October Socialist Revolution.

However, while studying at the Medical Institute he could not ignore his thirst for art and when that need eventually prevailed, Nadir Abdurrahmanov went back to art school, graduating in 1944. This was in parallel to his studies at the Medical Institute, where he attended evening classes and from where he graduated in 1947 with distinction.

By that time he had made up his mind about his future career - he left for Leningrad and was admitted to the Academy of Arts (now St. Petersburg Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture), to the class of prominent masters A. Milnikov and V. Oreshkinov. It was in Leningrad that Abdurrahmanov was formed as an artist - his sense of “aesthetic sensitivity” was developed and his tastes in visual culture, colour and form refined.

While studying at the Leningrad Academy of Art he became friends with the future talented Azerbaijani sculptor Ali Mirqasimov and many other artists who were later to find fame.

After graduating from the Academy of Art in 1953, Nadir Abdurrahmanov returned to Baku.

Career

After graduating, Nadir Abdurrahmanov tried many genres of art all at the same time: there were industrial images and compositions on various themes, historical and modern; portraits and of course every possible kind of landscape. His familiar individual style was not yet present in his paintings of the 1950s, which were highly professional and expertly constructed, but there were many signs of the emerging style, in particular, the flat, decorative draughtsmanship and use of light. The artist’s character, his personal view of the fascinating local environment and the sharp, bird’s-eye view ("Lachin", 1961) appear in the landscapes of these years.

In 1958, he went to Korea on a working trip with the Arkhangelsk artist Sveshnikov. This was a very productive month of communication, impressions and acquaintance with a new lifestyle and a different culture. There he took in so much from the environment that at the end of the visit he took the opportunity to organize an exhibition in Pyongyang. This first trip gave him so much - observing a foreign culture from the inside impelled him to serious and long-term work. "Fishermen", "Morning in the Village", "At the Crossing", "New Korea", "In the Agricultural Cooperative", "In Keson", "The Eastern Sea" - comprise the series "Around Korea". Nadir Abdurrahmanov organized a solo exhibition "Around Korea" in 1959 in Baku and in 1960 in Moscow.

However, Nadir Abdurrahmanov also worked as Chairman of the Artists’ Union of Azerbaijan from 1961 to 1970.

In addition, the uniqueness of his creative talent was fully revealed in the series of paintings and sketches called "Iraq-Afghanistan" that he visited in 1970-1971.

Moreover, Nadir Abdurrahmanov was a great teacher. The numerous students who took master classes from him always remember him with gratitude. He worked at the Azerbaijan State Art Academy for many years and as professor and chairman of the creative workshop at the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts from 2001 to the end of his life.

Achievements

• Nadir Abdurrahmanov was one of the best-known representatives of Azerbaijani painting. His best-known paintings include "Lachin" (1961), "Spring" (1978), and the series "Around Korea".
  
  He was titled an Honored Art Worker of Azerbaijan SSR and People's Artist of Azerbaijan SSR. In addition, he was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour in 1959 and State Prize of the Azerbaijan SSR.
  
  

Works

More photos

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  • Dockside Ship Repair

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1953
  • Mount Almaz

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Morning in the Summer Pasture

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Distant Village

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1987
  • Spring in Azerbaijani Mountains

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Joy

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Spring in Azerbaijani Mountains

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • In Lenkeran

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Pasture

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Windy Day

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1961
  • Minkend

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Spring in the Mountains

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1970
  • Afghan

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1973
  • Indian Craftsman

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1965
  • Sofia

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Dubrovnik Landscape

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Dubrovnik

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1964
  • Evening Fishing

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1965
  • Afghans

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1972
  • Indian Craftsman

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1965
  • Pottery Seller

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Palms

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Sunny Day

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Landscape. China

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1968
  • Village on the Road to Najaf

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1971
  • Evening

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Morning on the River Fedongan

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Morning in Mosul

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Fishing Boats in China

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1992
  • Street Market in Baghdad

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1970
  • Folk Musicians

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1975
  • Morning in Mosul

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1970
  • Riverbanks in Baghdad

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Hot Sunny Day

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1975
  • Mountains, Kotor, Yugoslavia

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1966
  • Baghdad

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1972
  • Chiddin

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Fishing village. Chiddin

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • In Kenzon

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Street in Kenzon

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Portrait

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Korean Dancer

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1958
  • Nepali Toys

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1984
  • Shiva-Nepali God

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1984
  • Nepali Craftsmen

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1984
  • Afternoon in Plovdiv

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1961
  • Old Plovdiv

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1961
  • Italy

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1966
  • Italy

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1966
  • Dubrovnik

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1966
  • Rocks. Yugoslavia

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Burgaz

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Split

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1964
  • Evening in Maravanthe

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Industrial Exhibition

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Mountain Woman

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1969
  • Morning

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Favourite Patterns

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1967
  • Mountain Woman

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Portrait of Woman

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

  • Women Friends

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1967
  • In Lenkeran

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1964
  • People and Mountains

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1975
  • Kiji

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1973
  • Shanghai

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1968
  • Street in Mosul

    (This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan National Mus...)

    1972
  • Autumn

    (Azerbaijan National Museum of Art)

  • Spring in the Mountains

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1970
  • On the Bank of Kur River

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1965
  • Street in Mosul

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1972
  • Baghdad

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1971
  • In Kenzon

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1958
  • In Keson

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

  • Venice

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1966
  • Carpet Weaver

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1971
  • Joy

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1990
  • Minkend

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

  • Spring in Azerbaijani Mountains

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1980
  • Lachin

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1964
  • Mountain Woman

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1971
  • Industrial Landscape

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1965
  • Gezni

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

    1972
  • Landscape

    (Sketch. This painting can be found at the Azerbaijan Nati...)

Membership

Nadir Abdurrahmanov was a member of the Artists’ Union of Azerbaijan.

Personality

Nadir Abdurrahmanov was a true gentleman with a resolute code of honesty that he followed throughout his life.

He was simple, delicate and kind in communication; he valued decency and good manners. An honest and unfeigned interest in his interlocutor could be seen in his eyes, he was highly courteous, chivalrous, generous and active in the conversation. Perhaps this was the breadth of a soul which heard the call that summons only the talented. Above all he was interested in Art; Nadir Abdurrahmanov was a Devotee of Beauty and was the personification of Style and Kindness himself.

Interests

• Artists

  Cezanne

• Sport & Clubs

  sport, gymnastics

Connections

Nadir Abdurrahmanov's family was exceptionally harmonious: his wife, Sveta khanim, was an art critic and his sons, Arif and Mikayil, also became artists and were educated at the Surikov Institute of Art in Moscow and the Academy of Arts in Saint-Petersburg respectively. Today they are keeping up the family tradition and work at the Azerbaijan Academy of Arts.

The elder son, Arif, is a theatre artist, creating set designs for many performances in Azerbaijan’s theatres, and has worked on several films. Today he teaches the basis of theatre set design to students at the Academy of Arts. He is the author of the book “The Role of the Artist in Theatre” which overviews many centuries.

Nadir Abdurrahmanov’s younger son, Mikayil, is a wonderful artist with his own style of painting, just like his father. His artistic interests are concentrated on the figurative avant-garde. He is recognised as having scaled the artistic heights in Azerbaijan, and is a participant in many exhibitions in Baku and abroad. His canvases were displayed in the Azerbaijani pavilion at the Venice Biennale of 2011.

Father:

Gambar Abdurrahmanov

Mother:

Movsume khanim Abdurrahmanova

Spouse:

Sveta khanim Abdurrahmanova

Brother:

Babir Abdurrahmanov

Son:

Arif Abdurrahmanov

teacher:

Mikayil Abdullayev

teacher:

Beyukaga Mirzazade

teacher:

Andrei Mylnikov

teacher:

Victor Oreshnikov

References

• "Servet" series of albums. The National Heritage project. s part of The National Heritage project implemented by Xalq Bank, Azerbaijan National Museum of Art under the head of Chingiz Farzaliyev prepared the "Servet" series of albums dedicated to the masters of Azerbaijani art.
  2013