Tagi Tagiyev

November 7, 1917 (age 75)

Baku, Azerbaijan

As World War II broke out, Tagi Tagiyev left Surikov Moscow State Academic Art Institute and returned to Baku. During the war, the painter's art was characterized by a variety of topics and served to lift everyone's spirit. At those times, Tagi also painted battle scenes and depicted war heroes. That period was extremely productive for his creativity. Among his most remarkable works, created at that time, are the portraits of general Hazi Aslanov, major Ajdar Mammadov, as well as Hüseynbala Aliyev, who died heroically during the battles for Leningrad. Tagi also depicted the hero of World War II, a courageous officer A. Maniyev and a sniper M. Muradov. In addition, among Tagiyev's prominent works, that he created during the war, were his "Koroghlu" and "Defense of Baku" panels. In all of his works, Tagi strived to uncover the internal world of his characters. Self-portraits held a special place in the painter’s activity. During different periods of time, Tagi portrayed completely different characters. It is as if Tagi tried to convey the most subtle components of his internal "self". His self-portraits may also be called the "dialogues with self". Also, one of the genres, that Tagi Tagiyev referred to with great inspiration was still-life painting. Tagi Tagiyev’s still-life paintings are distinct for their refined composition pattern, rich colors and unique expression. In the post-war period, the painter developed his skills in portrait painting, the genre, for which he was best known. It was between 1945 and 1955, that Tagi created portraits of prominent artists of his native country. Those works included the portrait of Bahruz Kangarli, as well as a portrait of Gara Garayev, an Azerbaijani composer, among others. In 1950, Tagi worked on the portrait of his close friend and painter Kamil Khanlarov. Accomplished in a simple composition, this portrait reflects the controversies in Khanlarov’s character, obstinacy and adherence to principles along with his simplicity and humaneness. Some time later, in 1955, Tagi created the portrait of Sattar Bahlulzadeh, the greatest Azerbaijani painter. During his creative career, Tagi also depicted women. His best-known works include "Before the Exam", "Portrait of Maral Rahmanzadeh", "Young lady’s portrait" and others. Tagiyev also created portraits of his wife Habiba throughout his lifetime. Moreover, during his career, Tagi devoted many works to his family. He painted the members of his family during a walk, on return from shopping, etc. It shows, that the painter didn’t get distracted from his favorite occupation even when he was closely engaged in family affairs. It's worth noting, that landscape genre also held one of the most crucial places in the painter’s activity. Tagi depicted summer days on the Absheron beaches, Baku streets and nature of his native country. Throughout his career, Tagi traveled extensively. He visited Oil Rocks and during this creative trip, he created numerous works. In 1961, Tagiyev went on a working trip to Africa and visited Morocco, Guinea, Senegal and Ivory Coast. The impressions from such trips had a great impact on his creative activity, leading him to the creation of a series of works, devoted to Africa, its nature and people. It's worth mentioning, that Tagi Tagiyev took an active part in the cultural life of his native country, participating in numerous exhibitions, as well as delivering speeches at TV shows. His first personal exhibition was held in 1968 in Baku, where he displayed more than a hundred pieces of art. In 2013, a posthumous exhibition, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the painter's death, was held at Azerbaijan National Museum of Art.

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