ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS OF NAKHCHIVAN IN THE WORKS OF JAVID ISMAYILOV

Abstract

The contemporary landscape of Azerbaijani fine arts is remarkably rich in terms of the diversity of genre and stylistic explorations, as well as the synthesis of national traditions with modern conceptual approaches. One of the artists distinguished by his unique creative style and thematic breadth in this evolutionary process is Javid Ismayilov, Honored Artist of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Encompassing various genres such as portrait, landscape, genre painting, and battle pieces, the artist's work embodies the multifaceted nature of the modern Azerbaijani school of painting. The core of Javid Ismayilov’s artistic philosophy is rooted in a commitment to the historical memory and national identity of the people. Each work from his brush is not merely a visual repre-sentation but also holds exceptional significance in terms of documenting Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage. Within the artist's creative legacy, the landscape genre particularly landscapes depicting the architectural monuments of Nakhchivan occupies a special place. In such works, the ancient settlements and historical monuments of Nakhchivan are presented through the prism of a new artistic consciousness. Paintings such as "Nakhchivan during the Atabey Era," "Momine Khatun Mausoleum," and "Aza Bridge" are clear indicators of his ability to penetrate the deep layers of history. While working on these themes, Ismayilov acts as both an artist and a researcher. From this perspective, the study of Javid Ismayilov’s oeuvre is of great relevance both for tracking the developmental dynamics of our modern painting and for evaluating the artistic interpretation of our architectural heritage within the fine arts.