The Azerbaijan Theme in the Works of Fedor Modorov: An Art History Analysis
Authors: Зейналов Х.А. 
Published: July 2020

Цель настоящей статьи – исследование азербайджанских мотивов в творчестве известного русского живописца, народного художника РСФСР Федора Модорова. В середине 20-х гг. прошлого века Модоров, побывав в Азербайджане, создал ряд работ, посвященных нефтяной индустрии республики, а также истории и культуре азербайджанского народа. Несмотря на то, что от момента создания этих полотен прошел почти век, они до сих пор не были предметом отдельных изысканий. Автор попытался восполнить этот пробел – им осуществлена классификация относящихся к данной теме произведений художника, проведен их краткий искусствоведческий анализ и впервые дана оценка в художественном и историческом аспектах. В ходе исследования также было отмечено, что в наше время, когда культурные связи между Азербайджаном и Россией вступили в новую фазу, освещение их истории приобретает особое значение, позволяя народам обеих стран глубже узнать и оценить общее историко-художественное наследие.

The aim of the article is an art history analysis of the works on the theme of Azerbaijan by the outstanding Russian painter, people’s artist of the RSFSR Fedor Alexandrovich Modorov (1890–1967). This analysis involves the establishment and refinement of the history of these works’ creation, the classification and definition of their historical and artistic significance. In the study, the author used the historical-comparative method to analyze Modorov’s works and compare them with works of other Russian artists. The research materials were Modorov’s paintings, as well as historical, biographical, and art studies by Soviet, Russian, and Azerbaijani researchers. The problem is characterized by an extremely poor degree of elaboration: on its own, the theme of Azerbaijan was not even distinguished by researchers who studied the artist’s works. Meanwhile, over the years of his creative business trip to Azerbaijan at the initiative of the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia in the 1920s–1930s, Modorov painted about 20 paintings and watercolors directly related to Azerbaijani themes. During the study, most of the artist’s works on the theme of Azerbaijan were examined, their historical and artistic significance was determined and substantiated, features associated with national specifics were identified and shown. The history of some paintings is clarified, the works are systematized by genre and theme. Modorov’s works are compared with other artists’ paintings on the topic. Modorov’s Azerbaijani series is divided into four groups according to the thematic principle: historical and revolutionary theme; industrial landscape; city landscape; national theme. Common features were revealed in the ideological, aesthetic, and artistic solutions of the paintings: they all show industrial achievements, development of public life and activities; convey the rich national color and character, everyday characteristics of the people; reflect the panorama of Baku and its historical and architectural monuments. The artistic and historical significance of these works is emphasized, despite the fact that about a hundred years have passed since their creation. It is noted that, at present, when the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Russia have entered a new phase, coverage of the history of mutual cultural ties is of particular importance as it allows the peoples of both countries to more deeply learn and appreciate the common historical and artistic heritage.