Bidspirit auction | Togrul Narimanbekov, Russian (1930 -

Togrul Narimanbekov, Russian (1930 - 2013), expressionist tree, 1991, watercolor and gouache on paper, 29 3/4”H x 22”W(sight), 39 3/4”H x 32”W(frame) - Togrul Narimanbekov Russian (1930 - 2013) expressionist tree, 1991 watercolor and gouache on paper Signed and dated upper right. Biography from FauveParis: Togrul Narimanbekov, Azerbaijani painter and singer, was born in Baku. He is the first artist from his country to appear in France's encyclopedia of contemporary art. His artistic career is steeped in exceptional cultural diversity. Trained at the Azimzade School of Art in Baku, Narimanbekov continued his studies at the Fine Arts Academy in Vilnius. In the 1960s, he introduced innovative art forms to Azerbaijan, breaking with the canons of fine art imposed by Soviet ideology. His approach and style, totally at odds with the aesthetic criteria of socialist realism, laid the foundations for the Absheron school of painting. Alongside Ashraf Murad, Javad Mirjavadov, Tofig Javadov, Rasim Babayev, Kamal Akhmedov and Gennady Brijatyuk, he contributed to the emergence of a new art that flourished after the fall of the Soviet Union. Togrul Narimanbekov's work is characterized by a singular fusion of Azeri and European artistic traditions, combining abstract and figurative elements. Traditional ornamental motifs merge into swirling, brightly-colored compositions that evoke the traditions of Azerbaijani art. His impasto paintings are often imbued with a surreal dimension, oscillating between joyful and melancholy emotions, dancing and singing. Narimanbekov was named People's Artist of Azerbaijan in 1967 and received the USSR State Prize in 1980. He ended his life between Paris and Baku, passing away in the City of Light in 2013. 30” H X 22” W (Site), 40” H X 32 1/4” W (Frame) 29 3/4”H x 22”W(sight), 39 3/4”H x 32”W(frame)