Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall hosted the opening ceremony of the exhibition entitled “Academy Painting: At the Crossroads of Scientific Cognition and Artistic Thought”, featuring works created by ANAS employees.

The event was opened with a welcoming address by the Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, People’s Artist Farhad Khalilov, who expressed his gratitude to the ANAS leadership for the idea, initiative, and active participation in organizing such an exhibition, which embodies the aesthetic manifestation of scientific intellect and unites science with art. He emphasized the importance of the exhibition, comprised of works by ANAS scholars, describing it as a significant cultural event.

Mr. Khalilov also noted that four ANAS employees—Corresponding Member of ANAS and Director of the Institute of Architecture and Art Ertegin Salamzadeh; PhD in Architecture Rizvan Babashov; Rukhsara Alizadeh of the same institute; and Senior Researcher of the Institute of Manuscripts, Khoshgedem Mirzayeva—had been admitted as members of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, extending his congratulations to them.

Subsequently, the President of ANAS, Academician Isa Habibbayli, delivered a speech in which he emphasized the significance of the Presidential Decree of 18 March 2025 on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, noting that the importance of the exhibition also lies in its dedication to this milestone.

He described the exhibition as an event of great importance for the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan and for the history of national fine arts. The ANAS President pointed out that, until now, the exhibition hall had hosted the works of People’s Artists, distinguished masters of painting, and renowned artists who devoted their lives to the field. For the first time, however, a collective is presenting to the public the paintings of its own scholars. He underscored that in the 80-year history of the Academy, it is unprecedented for an exhibition of works by ANAS employees to be displayed on such a large scale in a prestigious exhibition hall outside the institution itself.

Academician Isa Habibbayli also highly valued the contribution of Farhad Khalilov, Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, for accepting ANAS’s proposal and for providing the opportunity to organize the exhibition of Academy employees’ paintings-most of them young scholars-at the prestigious Vajiha Samadova Hall.

In his address, the ANAS President emphasized the distinctive nature of the works presented:

“Unlike traditional painting, this exhibition is the first in Azerbaijan to be organized by scientists-individuals working at research institutes, who have dedicated their lives to science, many of whom have defended dissertations or are doctoral candidates. In these works, both scholarship and artistry manifest themselves across numerous lines and depictions.

For example, the paintings of Jamaladdin Ismayilov, a researcher at the Institute of History and Ethnology, represent a style rarely pursued worldwide. Such works demand profound erudition and research skills befitting a historian. In his paintings, even the smallest detail merges scientific expertise with artistic mastery.

Equally significant are the works of Dr. Aynura Hashimova, PhD in Art Studies, dedicated to Azerbaijani statehood. The paintings of other Academy employees also stand out for their uniqueness and originality. Indeed, the artworks created by scholars are works that require serious intellectual inquiry.”

Academician Isa Habibbayli emphasized that a significant unifying aspect of these paintings is the equal synthesis of artistic reflection and scientific cognition. Noting that the works presented by ANAS scholars are manifestations of intellectual thought, he highlighted that, as in literature, a new wave of academicism is now beginning to take shape in the visual arts through these emerging talents.

He further pointed out that, for the 28 artists whose works are exhibited, both the thematic and conceptual dimensions of each painting, as well as the author’s scientific reasoning, inquiry, and research, occupy a distinctive place alongside the artistic composition.

“In fact, this exhibition can be considered the first intellectual exhibition in the history of Azerbaijani fine arts. From a genre perspective, the works are extremely rich, encompassing various forms of applied and decorative arts—still life, portrait, landscape, composition, graphics, painting, and other examples—each presented to the public in a manner reflecting the individual character and style of the artist. The paintings displayed here introduce new stylistic approaches and perspectives within our school of visual arts,” the ANAS President noted.

The Chairman of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers, People’s Writer Anar, highlighted the significance of the exhibition and the great interest it has generated, noting that the world-renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci was also a scientist. He emphasized that the primary reason this exhibition attracts particular attention is the presentation of works created by scholars.

Fazil Mustafa, Chairman of the Committee on Public Associations and Religious Organizations of the National Assembly, spoke about the importance of the exhibition, observing that its specificity sets it apart and that it features valuable works from a professional perspective. He underscored that individuals should also contribute to the cultural life of society, and ANAS has enthusiastically supported and facilitated this process.

Subsequently, People’s Artist and Academician Omar Eldarov addressed the audience, stating that the exhibition of works by Academy employees holds an important place in the history of Azerbaijani visual arts. He noted the remarkable quality of the scholars’ works and emphasized that the exhibition represents a true intersection of science and art.

Subsequently, People’s Artist and Rector of the Azerbaijan Academy of Painting, Natig Aliyev, addressed the audience, emphasizing that it was his first time participating in an exhibition featuring works by scholars, and that it had been received with great interest. He noted that art not only alleviates the intense scientific workload of scholars, providing them with mental relaxation, but also brings their talents to light. He emphasized that the opening of this exhibition is not an ordinary event; it directly reflects the ANAS leadership’s respect for and interest in the field of art.

Speaking next, Corresponding Member of ANAS and Director of the Institute of Architecture and Art, Ertegin Salamzadeh, highlighted that this exhibition is a significant event in the 80th anniversary year of ANAS, noting that including exhibitions held within the Academy, this marks the 25th such exhibition. He stated that previous exhibitions featured works by scholars from various fields, including physicists, mathematicians, and philologists. Salamzadeh emphasized that this exhibition stands out for its rich variety of genres, incorporating oil painting, watercolor, computer graphics, and artistic ceramics. Organized in the country’s premier exhibition hall, he added, this exhibition will leave a lasting mark in the history of ANAS and the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan.

Leyla Mammadkarimova, artist and researcher at the Institute of Architecture and Art, and Minaya Feyzullayeva, junior researcher and artist at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, addressed the audience, expressing high appreciation for the exhibition featuring works by scholar-artists and extending their gratitude to the organizers.

Following the opening ceremony, the exhibition was officially inaugurated, and guests had the opportunity to view the displayed artworks. The event was attended by members of the ANAS Presidium, Academy employees, and representatives of the public.

It is noteworthy that the exhibition entitled “Academy Painting: At the Crossroads of Scientific Cognition and Artistic Thought”, featuring works by ANAS employees, will be on display at the Vajiha Samadova Exhibition Hall for one week.

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