By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

An exhibition to mark the centenary of Azerbaijan’s famous artist, Maral Rahmanzade opened in Baku on November 15.

The four-day exhibition features artist's works kept at the Azerbaijan State Art Gallery and the National Museum of Art

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Adalat Valiyev, addressing the event, noted the artist's great contribution to the development of the national school of painting.

He mentioned that the exhibition features over 80 works by the talented artist.

In their speeches, Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, Honored Art Worker Omar Eldarov  and Secretary of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan,  Agali Ibragimov said that  Rahmanzade’s works became  an integral part of the rich cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

Talented artist Maral Rahmanzade became the first woman in Azerbaijan to depict offshore oil. Struck by the majesty of the fuel, she even settled on the Oil Rocks to get a true feeling of the lives of oilmen. This brave step by the young Azerbaijani girl, born in the heart of Baku in 1916, might still be puzzling, but it is a part of history.

She became the first Azerbaijani female artist to get a professional art education. Rahmanzade made a great contribution to the development of the modern national school of painting.

Rahmanzade is the most famous for series of easel paintings of patriotic content created during the Great Patriotic War.

Rahmanzade also worked on illustration of belles-lettres. In 1945, she designed the books “Dehname” by Khatai and "The land of fires" by Zohrabbeyov.

She portrayed circumstances, landscape, architecture, and costumes on numerous illustrations of “The land of fires” novel, following the literary description.

Rahmanzade also designed two volume poem of Jafar Jabbarly. She created a lot of lists, portraying personages of "Sevil", "Almaz", "Withered flowers" plays of Jafar Jabbarly. M.F.Akhundov's historical play "Deceived stars" was published in that very year with illustrations of Maral Rahmanzade.

The great artist illustrated also translated publications – "Eugene Onegin" of A.S.Pushkin, "A Hero of Our Time" M.Y.Lermontov.

The bright and multi-faceted creativity of Maral Rahmanzadeh would gain popularity far beyond the borders of Azerbaijan and CIS countries. Her works adorn many world-renowned museums, and enjoy the same success in the most "high-profile" and authoritative exhibitions throughout the world.

For great merit in the development of national fine art, she was awarded many orders and medals. She is a People's Artist of Azerbaijan, State Prize winner, and holder of the “Shohrat” ("Glory") order.