Eduard Amayakovich Isabekyan is an outstanding Soviet and Armenian painter, teacher, professor and an important figure in the cultural life of Armenia. His work and activities had a significant impact on the development of modern art in the republic, and his teaching activities formed a whole generation of artists, continuers of the traditions of Armenian painting. In this article, we will tell about the life, creative path and achievements of Eduard Amayakovich Isabekyan.
Early years and education
Eduard Amayakovich Isabekyan was born on November 8, 1914, in the city of Igdir, located in the Surmalinsky district of the Erivan province (present-day Turkey). His father was engaged in agriculture and trade, and his mother was a housewife. In 1918, the Isabekyan family was forced to emigrate to the northeast, fleeing the advancing Turkish troops. After a two-month stay in Echmiadzin, they moved to Yerevan and remained there permanently.
He received his first professional education from 1927-1931 after graduating from the Yerevan technical school “Geghard”, where he was taught by Sedrak Arakelyan, Vahram Gaifedjian (painting), Goar Fermanyan (graphics), to whom he owes the acquired skills in the field of graphics.
From 1935 to 1941 he continued his studies at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts. The first two years in the graphics department, where he studied with Professor Joseph Charleman, from the 3rd year he transferred to the painting department, to the workshop of Ucha Japaridze, and drawing was taught by Sergei Kobuladze. His diploma work was the painting “The Uprising of Batumi Workers in 1903”, under the guidance of Kote Gzelishvili.
Creative path
Isabekyan experimented with different techniques and genres: he painted portraits, landscapes, historical and compositional-thematic paintings. The artist is characterized by the principles of romanticism, realism and impressionism. Combining all these features in his works, Isabekyan creates his own style and artistic feature. In Isabekyan’s first works, one can trace the influence of French painters Theodore Gericault and Eugene Delacroix: the Armenian artist took from them the “dynamics” and interesting sharp combinations of colors. He conveyed the events of the past and present to the viewer through the canvas. The works of the artist of this genre are filled with historicism, patriotism, heroism and boundless love for his homeland, they add strength and confidence to the Armenian people. Among the “historical” paintings of Isabekyan, one can note “The Entry of the 11th Army into Yerevan”, “Response to Azkert”, “Red Morning”. However, as already mentioned, Isabekyan experimented with technique from the very beginning of his career. Thus, the artist’s first works are more generalized, abstract, as in the work “Entry of the 11th Army into Yerevan” of 1940, and “Response to Azkert” of 1960 is already a more precise, multi-figure work.
Landscape is an important part of Isabekyan’s work. With its help, the artist seemed to urge people to finally start noticing the beauty around them, even in the smallest and most hidden corners of their native nature. In this genre, Eduard Isabekyan created the most “live” paintings. Among them: “Orovel. Mountain Plowing”, “Wedding Procession from Koghb to Igdir”, “Picnic”, “On the Bank of the Araks” and others. Isabekyan’s landscapes, like the artist’s historical paintings, have a brightly expressed and rich color palette, as well as an illustration technique.
Eduard Isabekyan’s portrait work is quite unique. The artist painted portraits of his relatives, acquaintances and celebrities: “Portrait of My Mother”, “Old Man from Martuni”, “Portrait of Axel Bakunts” (a combination of a portrait with landscape elements), “Self-portrait”, a group portrait “Requiem in Igdir”. In them, Isabekyan focused not so much on the external image as on the inner world of the hero and the expression of the human soul through the image of a person on canvas. The work “Portrait of My Mother” of 1944 is considered by some to be one of the best paintings of the national portrait in the realistic genre. The image of a merciful, simple, kind woman from the inside is expressed in a modest color palette, and the look of the hero of the work only confirms this judgment. One cannot ignore the “Portrait of Arpenik Nalbandyan”. Eduard Amayakovich dedicated many works to his wife, the artist Arpenik Nalbandyan. In their features they are similar to Isabekyan’s self-portraits: the images of his wife are very different from each other, since the artist expresses a certain state of mind at different stages of Arpenik’s life with these paintings. Eduard Isabekyan created large multi-figure drawings, portraits, landscapes, nudes, illustrated books, and painted many pictures. Many of his works have become classics of Armenian art. Isabekyan is rightfully considered the founder of the thematic-compositional genre in Armenian painting. The artist dedicated his last work to his native city of Igdir and its residents, but the large-scale and complex work remained unfinished due to the deterioration of the artist’s eyesight. In 2005, Eduard Isabekyan moved to the city of Ashtarak, where he died 2 years later, on August 17, 2007.
Teaching activities
In addition to artistic practice, Eduard Isabekyan devoted a significant part of his life to teaching. From 1943 to 1945, he taught at the P. Terlemezyan Art College. His lessons were distinguished by attention to each student, an individual approach and high professionalism. From 1943 to 1945, he taught at the P. Terlemezyan Art College.
In 1945, he began teaching at the Yerevan Art and Theatre Institute.
As a teacher, he tried not only to impart technical skills, but also to develop in students a love of art, national identity and creative thinking. His teaching style was based on respect for the individual and freedom of creativity, which created a favorable atmosphere for the development of young artists.
Role in the cultural life of Armenia
Eduard Amayakovich Isabekyan played an important role in the cultural life of the country. From 1967 to 1987, he was appointed director of the National Gallery of Armenia , the largest fine art museum in the country. In this position, he demonstrated outstanding organizational skills, contributed to the renewal of the exhibition, expansion of the collection and the popularization of Armenian art both within the country and abroad.
Under his leadership, the gallery became a center of cultural life, a venue for exhibitions, scientific conferences and cultural events. He actively collaborated with international organizations, promoting the exchange of experience and the popularization of Armenian art in the world arena.
Merits, recognition and awards
During his many years of work, Eduard Isabekyan was awarded numerous awards and titles. In 1963, he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR – the highest artistic award in the Soviet republic, which is awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of fine arts.
In addition, he was a laureate of state prizes, awarded medals and orders, recognized as a talented teacher and cultural figure. His works are in the collections of the National Art Gallery of Armenia, as well as in private collections and museums abroad.
The idea of creating the Eduard Isabekyan Gallery arose in 2004. The gallery, which houses a permanent exhibition of 28 paintings donated to the city by the artist’s family, is located in a two-story concrete building designed in the late 1970s by architects Jim Torossian and Gevorg Aramyan.
Conclusion
His legacy lives on in the works of his students, the exhibitions of the National Gallery and in the hearts of those who appreciate Armenian art. His contribution to the culture of Armenia and the development of contemporary art remains significant and relevant.
Eduard Amayakovich Isabekyan is a figure who left a noticeable mark on the history of Armenian and Soviet art. His creative work, teaching activities and leadership in the cultural sphere made him one of the brightest representatives of the Armenian artistic tradition of the 20th century. His life and work serve as an example for young artists and all who value art as a means of expressing national identity and spiritual wealth.
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