23 Works, Today, May 7th. is artist Azim Aslan oglu Azimzade's day, his story, illustrated with footnotes #126

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Firdousi at the Audience with Skah of Mazandaran

Oil on canvas

Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi, also Firdawsi (935-1026), was a Persian poet and the author of Shahnameh ("Book of Kings"), which is one of the world's longest epic poems created by a single poet, and the national epic of Greater Iran. Ferdowsi is celebrated as one of the most influential figures of Persian literature. More on Firdousi 

Mazandaran Province is an Iranian province located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and in the adjacent Central Alborz mountain range, in central-northern Iran

Azim Aslan oglu Azimzade (7 May 1880 – 15 June 1943) was an Azerbaijani artist and caricaturist. He was awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR.

Azim Azimzade was born on 7 May 1880 in the village of Novxanı in the Baku Governorate of the Russian Empire which is now present-day Azerbaijan. The son of an oil industry worker, he had four siblings, each of whom died before the age of 10.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Gurban Bayram

Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

Eid al-Adha  'Feast of the Sacrifice', also known as Kurban Bayrami, is the latter of the two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God's command. (The Jewish and Christian religions believe that according to Genesis 22:2, Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice.) Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, animals (usually cows or sheep) are sacrificed ritually. The practice is controversial as it invokes suffering on life capable of feeling pain. One third of its meat is consumed by the family offering the sacrifice, while the rest is distributed to the poor and needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family are typically visited and welcomed. More on Gurban Bayram

This cartoon is Azim Azimzade's first handicraft in "Molla Nasreddin" magazine. The cartoon is called "Irshad's client". It was published on the 4th page of the 7th issue of "Molla Nasreddin" magazine dated May 19, 1906.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943) 

Client of Irshad, c. 1906

I have no further description, at this time

English: This caricature is the first work of Azim Azimzade in “Molla Nasreddin” satirical magazine. It was posted on 19 May 1906 in the 7th issue on page 4. The caricature calls “The subscriber of Irshad”.

Azimzade received no artistic education and was self-educated; in 1906 he began publishing paintings concerning social and political issues in magazines which represented the beginning of Azerbaijani satirical graphic art. Azimzade also actively participated in the Russian Revolution of 1905 and was the manager of the Department of Cultural Enlightenment of the People's Commissariat of Azerbaijan.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

The Twentieth Century, c. 1910

 Illustration, caricature

I have no further description, at this time

This painting, published in the 6th issue of Molla Nasreddin magazine on February 7, 1910, depicts Asia as lazy and oppressed, while Europe and Japan are depicted in development and progress. Below are the words in the Azerbaijani language in the old alphabet: "The situation of the nations of the world in the twentieth century." More on this painting

After the revolution, Azimzade published a variety of works, including a book, easel graphics, book illustrations, paintings for satirical magazines and newspapers, drafts of costumes, decorations, political caricatures and posters. Nearly half of all the posters made by Azimzade contained anti-religious themes, however he also drew posters with a more political theme, such as one published in 1925 which portrays a peasant with a fork throwing a plunderer of the nation's property away from a village.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

In the mosque, c. 1925

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

His development of caricatures is closely related to the satirical Molla Nasraddin magazine, which was founded under ideas of the first Russian Revolution in 1905 and subsequently revived after the Russian Revolution in 1917. Azimzade worked closely with editor Jalil Mammadguluzadeh and published many illustrations and would become the chief artist of Molla Nasraddin. In 1923, he became a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Execution of poet Nasimi, c. 1930s

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

According to the second edition of the Encyclopædia of Islam, Nasimi was an early Ottoman poet and mystic, and was most probably of Turkoman origin. He was well versed in both Turkic and Persian, but wrote some poems in Arabic as well.

Nesîmî become one of the most influential advocates of the Ḥurūfī doctrine and the movement's ideas were spread to a large extent through his poetry. For Nesîmî, at the center of Creation there was God, who bestowed His Light on man. Through sacrifice and self perfection, man can become one with God. As a direct result of his beliefs — which were considered blasphemous by contemporary religious authorities — Nesîmî was seized and, according to most accounts, skinned alive in Aleppo. More on Nasimi 

In 1927, Azimzade was awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the Azerbaijani SSR. It is believed that he evaded political repressions due to his acquaintance with Mir Jafar Baghirov, who was the first secretary of the Azerbaijan Communist Party and an admirer of Azimzade's work.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Folk performance, Kos-Kosa, c. 1930

I have no further description, at this time

Kosa and Kechel characters are chosen on Novruz holiday . They show funny games, tell jokes and play Kosa-kosa. Participants in the game enter in the guise of wolves, foxes, jackals A bell hangs around the waist and neck. Whoever enters Kosa's house will be blessed and will not be lacking throughout the year. In some areas, children are played by women. On the last day of Kosa, a ceremony called Semeni (Sem / Som) is held. Som is also the protector of the spirit called Yula . Malt is a kind of halva, and after cooking, part of it is released into the water on the night of Novruz. More on Kos-Kosa

Azimzade created 56 colored lithographs for the collected works of poet Mirza Alakbar Sabir, as well as pictures for works of Abdurrahim bey Hagverdiyev, Nariman Narimanov and Huseyngulu Sarabski. In 1927, Azimzade drew the illustrations for the children's fairy tales found in the Wild Ox poems of G.K. Sanily.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Wedding of the poor people, c. 1931

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Wedding of the rich people, c. 1930

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

In the 1930s, Azimzade completed a thematic series of watercolors which examined social inequality, such as Wedding of the Rich People (See above) and Wedding of the Poor People (See above). 

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Paradise, c. 1934

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

In the presence of the king, c. 1941

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Collecting Taxes from the Villagers

Oil on canvas

Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

In 1933, Azimzade exhibited posters in Moscow for the first time, at an exhibition of Azerbaijani artists, which were well regarded by the central press. In 1937, he published a collection of 26 paintings entitled Shadows of the Past.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Wearing Crimson is our Privilege/ This colour belongs to us, c. 1931

 Illustration , caricature

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943) 

A daughter was born/ A girl was born in the house, c. 1937

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Ramadan with the poor. c. 1938

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Ramadan, also spelled Ramazan, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. A commemoration of Muhammad's first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Although fatwas have been issued declaring that Muslims who live in regions with a midnight sun or polar night should follow the timetable of Mecca,] it is common practice to follow the timetable of the closest country in which night can be distinguished from day. More on Ramadan

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Ramadan at Varli's house/ Ramadan for the rich c. 1932

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Azerbaijani women get an education in medrese, c. 1935

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Women's bath, c. 1935

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

The Man Who Beats His Wife, c. 1937

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azimzade stands against the injustice in women's law by opening the insights of characters peculiar to various social segments in some of his works.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Death of Farhad, c. 1933

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Animal Exhausted of Ploughing

Oil on canvas

Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

During the beginning of World War II, Azimzade actively participated in the creation of the Agitokon posters (See below) written in both Azerbaijani and Russian with other Soviet artists. Writers and poets such as S. Rahman, Y. Fidler, G. Stroganov, M. Seyidzade and Nigar Rafibeyli also collaborated with the artists on the posters. 

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943) 

Port Said

Oil on canvas

Azerbaijan National Museum of Art

Port Said is a city that lies in north east Egypt along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Suez Canal.

Azimzade would make a significant contribution to Soviet wartime anti-fascist caricatures and drew more than 50 caricatures during the first two years of the war. One notable caricature Azimzade drew was called Lion and Kitten (1941), in which a caricature Adolf Hitler was ridiculed and compared to Napoleon, referencing the results of the Battle of Borodino in 1812.

Azim Azimzade  (1880–1943)

Ruins of Reichstag, c. 1942

Oil on canvas

I have no further description, at this time

Azimzade died in 1943 at the age of 63. More on Azim Aslan oglu Azimzade

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, 365 Saints and 365 Days, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.