Aesthetics of a figurative view of reality
On the creative search of People’s Artist Jalil Huseynov
Although the centuries-old history of the development of Azerbaijani fine art attracts attention with its diverse expression, a figurative approach to reality was undesirable in the works of authors who contributed to this formation. It is safe to say that this is not due to the adherence of artists to a certain style, but to their ability to generalize and improvise their attitude to what they see in life. The best examples of this were once created by People’s Artist Sattar Bahlulzade. This aesthetic value in the national painting of the period of independence is retained in his work by the master of the brush, People’s Artist Professor Jalil Huseynov.
In fact, there is no clear similarity between his famous predecessor J. Huseynov, for example, S. Bahlulzade, who in a unique way pursues the aesthetics of his works – through artistic improvisation. They are united not by similarities in the techniques of expression, but by the spirituality of the works, reflected in the general aesthetics of the works. More precisely, the introduction of color aesthetics from national spiritual sources provides a figurative perspective on the meaning and content of the works of these two creators. It is felt that the miracle of the emotional ability of these paintings stems from old artistic traditions, their individual and different attitudes towards each, as well as the presentation of an individual plot with artistic improvisations. Thus, all this led to the perception of motives as images with a different plot in the works of the predecessor and heir.
It cannot be denied that Jalil Huseynov has enriched the “aesthetic map” of our painting with his unique tones. It is also a fact that this high craftsmanship, acquired with rich experience, goes through a constant search for an artist. In the first step of this quest, he creates an artistic image on canvas rather than its counterparts, and he is considered attractive and thought-provoking as an expression of the artist’s imagination and experience in such works.
The prevalence of lyric-romantic tones in the expressive style of Jalil Huseynov is striking, which has been formed and improved over time. The artist’s success in various works of different genres, especially in his paintings, is primarily associated with his constant experience in reaching the imagination.
The painting gallery created by the artist, who does not get tired of traveling around Azerbaijan and is distinguished by its rich nature, has sufficient views of Karabakh, Nakhchivan, Absheron, Guba and Shamakhi. The aura that creates different food can be felt in the images of these places at different times of the year and at different times of the day. Although his last return to the Tophana forest, which he witnessed in his time, is associated with nostalgic feelings, these fictional motives seem to be dominated by the artist’s desire to represent the beauty of the country.
In the new triptych, which the author calls “Artillery Thoughts”, the sunset on the famous forest, which gives a special charm to the spaces around Shushi, is attractively expressed in optimistic colors. In one of them, depicting a blooming hill in a horizontal landscape, the artist transforms the dominant trees and the golden sky behind them into an attractive spiritual resource that allows one to perceive only one corner of the forest as a general image of the Karabakh nature. While the other two tryptic plates show some similarities to the one, we first described, differences in color and digestibility are actually felt in their shade.
Jalil Huseynov’s individual approach to the harsh and unique lands of Absheron is also felt. The artist, who tried to recreate the ancient landscape of places that became quite modern in the last century and lost their former appearance, did a really good job to convey to future generations what these places were in their time. In “In Absheron”, “Stone Beach”, “Absheron Motive”, ” Archer” and other works, the land of “black gold” is shown as a lyric-romantic meal, according to the artist, shown at different times of the day.
In these works, the artist transformed flat village houses by the sea into the main meaning and content of various compositions, presented them from different angles, but at the same time turned them into a new aesthetic resource. A characteristic feature of these paintings is that white does not play an important role in the aesthetics of color.
In these works, the artist turned flat village houses located by the sea into the main meaning and content of various compositions, presenting them from different angles, as well as turning them into a source of fresh aesthetics. A distinctive feature of these paintings is also the important role of white in their color aesthetics. Jalil Huseynov, who subtly and skillfully used different shades of white, expressed his vision of the golden sand, plastered walls and flat roofs of the sea coast in the sometimes strong and sometimes restrained power of this color. became a lyric-romantic spiritual source. It is also noticeable that all the details of the work that “sacrifices” their traditional colors in favor of whiteness under strong sunlight are exaggerated in the presentation of a new look, and “artistic lies” are aimed at the creativity of the work. Instead of recognizing what they see in these works, it is clear that an author who is trying to make it known can broaden the “scope” of white.
Considering that it is not so easy to use white color everywhere in art, it must be said that it was not by chance that the artist turned this color into the main artistic means in his works of other genres. This focused approach can be seen in his portraits and still lifes. In this sense, the triptych “Ancient Dishes”, “Watermelons”, “Exotic Fruits”, “Still Life with Pineapple and Cloth”, “Fruit”, as well as “Young Woman”, “In the Workshop”, “Sunny Day”, “Lying Woman ” etc. According to his works, it can be said that the unity of the author’s mind with other colors led to successful results.
In contrast to his landscapes, the artist, who in most still lifes tends to be decorative, also achieved the emotional appeal of the plaque, presenting the sometimes seemingly impossible integrity of objects contrasting in shape …
His “novelty” from time to time also attracts attention with its unique aesthetics – pastel subtlety of colors. This “news” has many virtues that attract and captivate the public. In our opinion, if the artist’s description of the beauty of the female body, expressed only in a series of “news”, would not have attracted so much attention. In these works, an attempt is made to give a spectacular artistic image to the moral and psychological aspects of the problem of men and space in the poses of women, who sometimes hide their personal life, and often do not try to hide it.
In conclusion, we add that the lyric-romantic in his paintings Jalil Huseynov managed to show in his wall paintings that he is a monumentalist, capable of solving the problem of the synthesis of arts.
During the years of independence, he received the opportunity to express his education in the field of monumental art in a greater form and ability. Although the expression of this in architectural projects is unexpected for many, he himself sees it as a common creative work. As a result of the high level of taste expressed in buildings for various purposes, built in such settlements as Baku, Balakan, Mingachevir, Shamakha, Neftchala, Astara, Siyazan and Sumgayit, these buildings have become the dominant architectural map of cities. What distinguishes these buildings from others and the “recognition” of Jalil Huseynov is the use of color shades in their exterior that characterize the artist’s palette.
The awarding of the honorary titles of the Honored Art Worker and People’s Artist of the Republic, the National Heritage award in 2018 is also a high assessment of the artist’s creative contribution to our culture. Jalil Huseynov, who has also been engaged in teaching for many years, is currently a professor at the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, head of the workshop …
Ziyadkhan ALIYEV
Honored Artist, Professor