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Artist V.N. Zabelin was one of the preeminent artists and teachers in Russia in the end of 20th Century. He was Igor Babailov's last teacher of Painting at the Surikov Academy. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Teacher~Student Lineage Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Zabelin (1935 - 2001) He was my last Professor of Painting and one of the preeminent artists of the late 20th century with whom I was fortunate to study. ~ Igor V. Babailov Vyacheslav Nikolaevich Zabelin was born in 1935 in Khamovniki, an old region of Moscow. Zabelin recounts his childhood as having “passed by during the years when my country was engaged in a heroic war against fascist Germany”. After the war, in the late 1940’s, he had the opportunity to work in the studio of M.A. Slanov. One day as he was working in the studio, the famous artist Konstantin Yuon ( student of Valentin Serov and Konstantin Korovin ) came to visit. Yuon took notice of Zabelin’s work which resulted in Zabelin’s acceptance to the “1905” Moscow Art School in 1956. His studies here continued until 1961 when he enrolled in the Surikov Institute. Zabelin spent the next six years at the Surikov, obtaining his diploma and continuing on to get his post-graduate degree. Yuon would continue to help direct Zabelin along his educational path as well as inspire his work. Like most Russian artists, Zabelin was strongly influenced by the Russian world around him. He said “I was born and grew up in Moscow…the old streets, the hidden quirks of this place, the Novodevichii Monastery, made me into an artist. These are my native areas, my small homeland”. His most favorite place to paint was in the Old Russian city of Rostov, from where a large majority of his paintings originate. He loved Russian architecture because of its wonderful asymmetry that could have been so easily balanced by some small window or arch on its façade (N.N. Vizzhilin). Zabelin said “We live in a time when historical cities and environs are losing their individuality and there is no end in sight to this process.” This realization brought great sadness to the artist as he so highly valued his Russian homeland and the beauty its historic structures and landscape possessed. Zabelin felt much the same way about the patterns he saw emerging in the art being created around him. In 1967 Vyacheaslav Zabelin was invited to teach at the Surikov Institute which he graciously accepted. About his teaching approach he once said “In my pedagogical work, I have attempted to help facilitate my students to find their own voice and for them to understand their souls, and help those souls create, in an unrepeatable language.” This was, he felt, one of the most important lessons that his students could learn. It was his belief that “individuality in art…is often understood to be a necessity to produce works reflecting the anger of our time, satisfying the fleeting whims of the public”, which of course he felt certain would not stand the test of time. Zabelin was a major supporter of artistic education and training that was deeply rooted in tradition and achievement. He was not fond of “amateur” or “homegrown”art. He felt that "when a school of training was not present, it was often replaced with “a self-sufficient manner and attempt to pander to the public and draw the attention of amateurs by superficial tricks, which are always used to hide incompetence.” V.N. Zabelin’s close personal friend, the famous journalist N.N. Vizzhilin, wrote of comments made at the opening of an exhibit of works by Zabelin’s students, that “In the process of teaching, Zabelin motivates his students to master not his way of painting, not his view of things or his method, but the principles of art. ” The artist and teacher himself said “Really, if one perceives life from the position of creative work, from the position of a search for the truth, if we perceive it, not putting all the schemes and dogmas into the bed of Procrustes, then life will open up before us in every way more unexpected, fresher, and interesting.” One of his student’s, Svetlana Smirnova, recalls Zabelin teaching her that “composition is of the utmost importance” and that it “is necessary to work on it all the time.” Vyacheslav followed this very principle in his own work. His friend Vizzhilin also remembers that “Before beginning any painting, he would carefully study the nature, consider the composition, [and] select the lighting. Because of this, he lived weeks on end in other cities, barely noticing the lack of physical comforts there.” Vyacheslav Nikolaivich Zabelin was a member of the Moscow River School of painters. He taught at the Surikov until his death in October of 2001. His friend, and journalist Vizzhilin later wrote “The things that made V.N. Zabelin stand out as a central figure in the Russian arts were his wholehearted search for aesthetic sense; his deep knowledge of Russian painting and literature; and his delicate understanding of the interdependence and inevitability of the changing of artistic styles, the richness of which is ever apparent in Russian culture.” He says also that the very essence of Zabelin’s work is that it “rose up from the traditions of Russian art and [had] its roots in the deepest strata of Russian life.” Zabelin has been called the greatest Russian artists of the last quarter of the 20th Century. Artist’s Thoughts: “I was born and grew up in Moscow…the old streets, the hidden quirks of this place, the Novodevichii Monastery, made me into an artist. These are my native areas, my small homeland” “We live in a time when historical cities and environs are losing their individuality and there is no end in sight to this process.” “In my pedagogical work, I have attempted to help facilitate my students to find their own voice and for them to understand their souls, and help those souls create, in an unrepeatable language.” “Individuality in art…is often understood to be a necessity to produce works reflecting the anger of our time, satisfying the fleeting whims of the public.” “When a school of training is not present, it is often replaced with a self-sufficient manner and attempt to pander to the public and draw the attention of amateurs by superficial tricks, which are always used to hide incompetence.” Awards: (partial list) • Member of the Artist’s Union of the U.S.S.R. • Head of the Moscow painting section of the Moscow Union of Artists • Chairperson of the committee on the Protection of Monuments in the Union of Artists of Russia • Member of the City Building Council • Award for The Interior of the Annunciation Cathedral as the best work of 1980 in the Moscow Department of Artists’ Union • Diploma awarded for the creation of the paintings that were on display at the VI Republican Art Exhibition “Soviet Russia” dedicated to the XXVI Congress on the CPSU, awarded by the Counsel of Ministers of the Russian Federation, 1981 • Titled Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, by the Artists’ Union of the Russian Federation • Diploma awarded by the Academy of Arts of the USSR for his paintings The Petrovski Boulevard and The Bolshoi Theatre, 1987 • Honoured Worker of Arts of the Russian Federation, 1990 • The Professors Degree, 1991 • Silver Medal of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Art, July 10, 1995 Collections: (partial list) Works shown frequently at Lazare Gallery, Charles City, VA; Walls Gallery, Wilmington, NC; Wallace Fine Art, Longboat Key, Fl; as well as James Yarosh and Assoc., Holmdel, NJ. Zabelin has over 300 paintings in the world’s museums including: Tretyakov Gallery (Museum), Moscow - Spring Evening in Rostov the Great, 1981, 64.5 x 69 cm. - Spring Evening, 1983, 88.5 x 88.5 cm. Russian State Museum, St. Petersburg - Interior, Church of Christ the Savior in Rostov, 1987, 50 x 40 cm. - Interior of Church, Ascension, 1988, 60 x 80 cm. Art Fund - Interior of Christ the Savior Church, 1984, 70 x 50 cm. - Suzdal Grey Day, 1966, 47 x 70 cm. - Interior of Resurrection Church, 1968, 30 x 40 cm. - Clear Field, 1978, 50 x 70 cm. - Home Above the Cellar, Rostov Kremlin, 1980, 60 x 80 cm. The Rostov Kremlin Art Museum [has an enormous memorial hall dedicated completely to his works, including:] - Lilacs, 60 x 50 cm. - In Rostov, 1997, 50 x 70 cm. - Rostov, Washing Yard, 49.7 x 79.7 cm. - Center of Rostov the Great, 1978, 50 x 69.5 cm. - Old Estate, 2000, 50 x 40 cm. - Sunrise/Sunset in Rostov?, 1970, 50 x 70 cm. - Green House, 1999, 41 x 56 cm. - Portrait of Wife, 1972, 89 x 89 cm. - Grey Day, 1997, 60 x 80 cm. - Rostov Beauty, 1968, 72 x 50 cm. - View of Rostov Kremlin, 1969, 49.7 x 70 cm. - View of Inner Yard of Rostov Kremlin, 1969, 49.5 x 70 cm. - Street in Rostov, 1985, 60 x 80 cm. - Pink House, 1991, 50 x 60 cm. Russia Artists’ Union - Interior of Resurection Church in Rostov, 1983, Oil on Canvas, 41 x 55 cm. - Winter, Borisogleb, 1993, Oil on Canvas, 55 x 82 cm. Russian Art Museum, Kiev Picture Gallery Museum, Tver Rjazan Fine Arts Museum, Rjazan Jarosalv Fine Arts Museum, Jaroslav Kaluga Fine Arts Museum, Kaluga Kurjan Fine Arts Museum, Kurjan Taganrog Picture Gallery Museum, Taganrog Orenburg Fine Art Museum, Orenburg Orlov Fina Art Museum, Orlov Kostroma Fine Art Museum, Kostroma Novosibirsk Fine Art Museum, Novosibirsk Nizhnij Novgorod Fine Art Museum, Nizhnij Novgorod Artist Architectural Reserve Museum, Rostov Ekaterinburg Fine Art Museum, Ekaterinburg He has become a favorite of well-known private collectors such as James Yarosh (USA), Larry and Pat Merriman (USA), and Stefano Pirra (Italy). Additional Information: He suggested and organized the All-Russian Art Exhibitions “Monuments of Motherland” which became an important event in the artistic and cultural life of the country. Zabelin has been included in many survey books of Russian art and has had several books published on his work including his first coffee table sized book, with full page color plates, cataloguing all of his known works due out in 2006. List of books that include information about Zabelin: Path of Russian Impressionism 100 Years of Russian Artist Union Published in Moscow 2003 In thy Name Russian Artist Union Published in Moscow 2004 (This book was published commemorating the 2000th birthday of the birth of Christ and primarily promoted Russia’s greatest artist who did religious paintings during the 20th century. It is a major book documenting the artist’s works who displayed at one of the Russian Artist’s Unions greatest shows. The Great Painters Published in Moscow 2001 A Dictionary of Soviet and Russian Painters Active 1900 to 1980 Published in London, 1998 Russian Landscape, Great Collection Published in Moscow 2004 List of known books published on Zabelin: Zabelin By Sokolov Published in Moscow Zabelin Published in Italy 2001 Zabelin Published in Italy 1993 Zabelin Published in Italy 1999 To Be Published in 2006 by the documentary film maker and book publisher Archivos Alba: Zabelin, Master of Color - this is to be a definitive work that will catalog all known works of Zabelin and has many contributors by art historians and artists who knew Zabelin. It will be a coffee table sized book with one plate per page. With Appreciation to Lazare Gallery Igor V. Babailov Direct Teacher~Student Lineage CLICK www.Babailov.com

Artist Valery Babailov was a fine portrait and landscape artist, poet and composer. Father of Igor Babailov, he was his mentor and first teacher in art. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Teacher~Student Lineage Valery Valeryanovich Babailov (1941- 2001) "My Father, my Mentor, my First Teacher in Art." Igor V. Babailov Igor V. Babailov My father, Valery Valeryanovich Babailov, was an accomplished artist, known for his portrait works and landscape paintings. He was also a composer, poet and songwriter. Born in 1941 in the small town of Russian Loza, in Udmurtia, a republic of Russia, he belongs to the generation of the «children of war» as they call them in Russia. He was only 3 months old when World War II (The Great Patriotic War) began. Valery Babailov received his advanced education in art at Udmurt State University, in Izhevsk, studying painting under famed artist and teacher, A.P. Kholmogorov . Kholmogorov taught his students the knowledge he himself acquired at the Surikov Institute in Moscow, where he learned his craft of painting and drawing from Victor Tsyplakov , student of the renowned artists Igor Grabar and Sergey Gerasimov , both of whom studied in the studios of world famous artists Ilya Repin and Valentin Serov . The People's Artist of Russia, Aleksey Kholmogorov, highly valued Valery Babailov's artistic talent and regarded him as his "favorite student." Upon graduation from the university in 1964, Babailov moved from Izhevsk to Glazov, but continued the relationship with his mentor and they remained close friends until Kholmogorov's death in 1987. The creative professional endeavors of Valery Babailov combined painting, poetry and music. While still at the university, he wrote a song «My Institute» which became a popular hit and was sung by students in universities across the region. Throughout his life, he was an active participant in the art exhibitions in Udmurtia and around the country, and his songs were performed on a regular basis on regional radio and TV. Often, when I was getting ready to go to school in the early mornings, my Dad's songs were played on the radio. In 1970, the first Children's Preparatory Art School opened its doors in Glazov. Valery Babailov was one of the school's founders and my formal art education had begun there too. He loved to teach and is still remembered by his numerous former students for his personality and kindness. My father was a humble, soft spoken man with the finest sense of humor, profound intelligence and wisdom. He loved life and his sensitivity to beauty is felt in every painting and song that he created. My father passed away in 2001. In his honor, I made an oath to always sign my name with my middle initial «V», which goes after his first name, on all my paintings ever since. Valery Babailov teaching at the Glazov Preparatory Art School that he co-founded Valery Babailov at work Portrait of Grandmother by Valery Babailov Portrait of a Gipsy Man by Valery Babailov Igor V. Babailov Direct Teacher~Student Academic Lineage

Beautiful Portrait Paintings of Beautiful Women - Distinguished Corporate & Private Art Collections, by Portrait Master Artist Igor Babailov, Nashville - New York - Washington - Naples Women UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA PORTRAITS of WOMEN (selected portraits) Chief Justice Annette Ziegler - Supreme Court of Wisconsin Portrait study from life (graphite) Portraits in Oil "Portraits of women occupy a special place in my portfolio. They are mothers, daughters, wives, entrepreneurs and distinguished professionals. I am always honored and humbled to paint their portraits, as I am grateful for their devotion and enormous gift of strength and inspiration they share with the world." ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA CLICK on portraits below to see them CLOSER Theresa Menefee Ann Lemire The Baroness Mother's Love Martha-Ann Alito Lady in a pink hat Dr. Julie Hudson First Lady Hillary Clinton Hon. Lisa Wood Amy Debbie Trudeau Senator Marsha Blackburn Julia Bianchi Terrie Isabel Owen Elizabeth Dinkel Maria Bartiromo Dori Sawatzky Dr. Rebecca Stafford Ruth Gjessing-Newman MAMA Mary Kirby Irish Woman Hannah Barker Young woman from Nashville Mary Anderson Rachel Gibbs with her dogs Izzi Eberstadt Mary Eberstadt Kate Eberstadt Zandi Eberstadt Dusan Desmarais Joannie Calia Porth Kaye The Graham family Jill Lindene Kaufmann Dorothy Geen Awarded "Outstanding Achievement in Portrait Painting" - International Portrait Competition, Atlanta, GA (1993) Woman with her dog What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach

Gustom Giclee Prints of the Original Sacred Artworks by Igor Babailov - Signed by the Artist & come with Certificate of Authenticity Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA SACRED ARTWORKS " The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection." ~ Michelangelo The Igor Babailov Sacred artworks are available as custom-made museum quality Fine Art Giclee Prints. They are signed by the Artist and come with Certificate of Authenticity. For more information, please CONTACT US Pope Benedict XVI Pope Francis Pope St. John Paul II To Believe and Hope ... now! Vita Patriarch Kirill Journey of Hope Credo St. Mother Teresa Pope Benedict XVI, Sketch from Life The Sacred Heart Mother of Mercy Resurrection of Realism Blessed Stanley Rother Pope Francis, sketch from life Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard St. Padre Pio Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. Metropolitan Hilarion Kapral The 13th Disciple Prayer. Portrait of Mary. Fr. Arne Panula Margaret Leo of McLean Michael Novak The Romanov Family - Royal Martyrs St. Alexandra St. Anastasia St. Olga St. Nicholas II St. Tatiana St. Maria St. Alexei Portrait of an Italian Girl Museum Master-Copy Mary in the Sistine Chapel Saint Christopher - the Patron of Travelers St. Bernadette Amare Donskoy Monastery The Three Lights First McDonald's in Russia St. Joseph Cathedral, Montreal Fontana del Nettuno, Florence Father Andrey Church Entrance Christening St. Paul - Vativan Apostolic Palace - Vatican, Castel Gandolfo Porta di Santa Anna - Vatican To ORDER a Giclee Print of a Sacred artwork by Igor Babailov and for more information, please CONTACT US

World-renowned portrait painter and figurative artist, scholar and teacher, Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA, shares his academic expertise in traditional art education with his fellow artists and art students. Igor V. Babailov Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA(PhD), D.Litt.(Hon.Causa) Commissioned Portrait Painter Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) - official Ph.D equivalent, College Art Association (U.S.A.) Honorary Life-Time Member of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) Knighted Chevalier of the Order of Saint Anne (founded in 1735) Honorary Doctorate - Cumberland University Letter to Aspiring and Professional Artists Dear Friends, ALL of the greatest Masters in the history of art regarded formal academic training as indispensable for the development of the highest professional skills. My teaching experience is a direct result of my own years of studies (1974-1990) in the consistency of the academic discipline and established historic curriculum at one of the world's oldest and acclaimed fine art academies, the Russian Academy of Arts (est. 1757). Having started my formal art education at the age of nine, I continued to study within the academic art system for the next sixteen years and had become very familiar with countless challenges one may face in drawing, painting, composition, etc. Therefore, based on my own vast experience of being a formal student for many years, I understand and know exactly what the students need in any given situation, as well as how to successfully resolve any complicated issues they may have, right on the spot. Students posses and are enriched by the skills and knowledge that their teachers pass on to them. If their teacher had not received an extensive classical education, it is most likely that the students would then be limited to only acquire their teacher's 'style and approach', and the fruits of their labor could result in their becoming 'beggars in knights armor' so to speak, as the roots of deeper knowledge and skill, vital for the development of artistic individuality, would not be introduced. "Painterly" and "Photo-realistic" in contemporary portrait painting Have you ever had a feeling, when looking at contemporary realistic paintings, particularly portrait paintings, that they could be divided into two polarized categories: some seem 'dried out' and resemble photographs, and the others look somewhat 'incomplete' in so called 'bravura' of painterly brushstrokes? A true realistic painting in the tradition of the Masters will not look like a photo, and visible brushstrokes will not be chaotic to draw the unnecessary attention either. The brushstrokes must follow the form and correspond to the bone and muscle structure underneath the skin, to guide the viewer's eye in the right direction and in search of the subject's inner-world, instead of intentionally destructing from possible mistakes in proportions. Speaking of proportions and anatomy... the arms and hands in the portrait, especially HANDS, which were described by the Masters as "another portrait", must always be impeccably drawn in proportion to the body with the expertise of the anatomic structure, to assure their equal life-like appearance in the portrait. This is why the works of the great Masters, such as Sargent and Zorn, are strong and never cartoonish, as they have the substance of anatomic strength and uncompromising loyalty to the accuracy of drawing in every area of the painting. Today, unfortunately, the 'painterly style' is quite often used by portrait artists to camouflage any errors in anatomy and proportions; so, we should not follow blindly the praises for such a "style" without keeping in mind that the above mentioned Masters did not just paint, they "drew with brushes", as I like to say. The great Italian Master of the 20th century, Pietro Annigoni stated: "Painting does not exist without Drawing, and it is Drawing [from life] that gives the exact measure of the painter. Drawing never fails, but often the artist does." Let us remember this! Mother's Love (Oil, Grisaille manner) by Igor Babailov The Power of Proper Art Education One can compare art education to the solid foundation of a house, as once it is built properly, it will hold any shape or form you will place on it. This is why it is not sufficient to acquire just any art education, it must be rather a proper classical art education. As in parallel with painting, it also teaches you DRAWING which IS the core of any strong realistic painting. Having a broad and well-rounded academic formation, is a source ofstrength for every artist. First and foremost, it is the application of the academic principles in every subject we draw that we must learn to see. Wouldn't you like to have total confidence in yourself as an artist and to be able to draw and paint realistically entirely from life and/or from your imagination, absolutely anything and be totally comfortable without the use of the camera, when portraying any subject in any genre: portrait, landscape or multi-figurative composition? The academic method, or someone's "style"? In art education, the academic method of learning is universal and also economical. It saves you time and money in the long run and the trouble of trying to build what you need, out of bits and pieces from various workshops by different instructors who, due to the lack of their own education, teach their "approach", instead of classical foundation. Different instructors' personal approaches and their often complicated palettes, may 'clash' with each other and result in confusion and an unclear direction for students. It is like attempting to learn how to write using both hands at the same time. How far would you go? If you want to learn fast and efficiently, proper academic instruction in the principles of classical academic curriculum, should be your focus. It is accessible, straight forward and recognized for its most effective teaching of composition, perspective, foreshortenings, anatomy and tonal values. All the Masters of the past did just that. Despite their different geographic backgrounds, they all went through the same universal academic art training, as prerequisite for the development of high drawing skills, artistic individuality and, eventually, becoming the Masters. Bouguereau, Zorn, Repin are known for their very distinct individual styles, yet that was not what they learned during their academy training, not the 'styles', but the very same alphabet of the academic art language, and spoke it fluently in their own ways. Zorn Studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts Bouguereau Studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, Paris Repin Studied at the Russian Imperial Academy of Arts Sharing the Historic Russian School of Traditional Art Education Since 1974 through 1990, I was very fortunate to study and receive distinguished art degrees from the Russian Academy of Arts (founded in 1757). My friend Amb. Michael Novak, Templeton Prize recipient and world-renowned American scholar, once stated: "One good thing that came out of the Iron Curtain, was the outstanding Russian art education!" When Modernism was already marching for decades throughout Western Europe and North America, the Russian School of Art was the only historic school in the world, which remained free of Modernist influence, as behind the 'iron curtain' it kept its academic roots intact and preserved the best of classical academic education. Art education is like reading the Bible, over and over again, building on what you know and always learning something new. That is why my classes are not limited to so-called 'levels' of instruction. I share with my students the IN-SIGHT of my formal art education, which covers a broad spectrum of critical issues, highly beneficial to all artists, students and professionals, who aim to improve and polish their skills in drawing and painting. Leonardo da Vinci once wrote, 'Poor is a student, who doesn’t go further than their teacher.' Just like Leonardo, I also believe that there must be no secrets whatsoever and I share with my students one hundred percent of everything I have learned during my own academic years in the classrooms and studios of the historically acclaimed Academy. For God, Gold and Glory The Arrival of Christopher Columbus and his crew in the Americas (oil on canvas, 72" x 79") by Igor Babailov Master Workshops' Agenda My workshops contain two important parts: The Instructor's Demo and The Students' Practice after observing the demo. In Visual Art we learn by seeing. In fact, that is how we learn. Therefore, within my workshop program, I do three separate 1.5 - 3 hour (quick and highly detailed) life demonstrations in Drawing, Pastel and Oil, each in the approach of the academic training. This is a great opportunity for students to witness the progression of portraits from life in different mediums, from start to completion. My goal, as your instructor, is to simply show you and teach you 'right' from 'wrong', so you can quickly get on the right and your own artistic path towards advancing your individual skills where 'the sky is the limit'. Following my demo, inspired students work on their own pieces, and every student receives my personal and individual attention according to their needs and specific requirements. For more information and to see the schedule of my upcoming workshops, please refer to the Workshops page on my website www.Babailov.com . To register, please inquire at info@Babailov.com or you may register online HERE . I look forward to seeing you in class! Most sincerely, SHARE THIS © The essay herein is the intellectual property of Igor V. Babailov and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from Igor V. Babailov. Any attempt to plagiarize the written material of this page will violate the international community's laws and ethics.

Vatican Splendors - portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by portrait artist Igor Babailov exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Giotto, Bernini, and other Great Masters of the Renaissance. Vatican museum tour. The only Living Master artist, Vatican exhibition. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA VATICAN SPLENDORS Exhibition of Masterpieces from the Vatican In 2010, Igor Babailov's Vatican portrait of Pope Benedict XVI was selected by the Pope to represent his Papacy in the Vatican Splendors international museum tours. The Vatican Curator acknowledged Babailov as Maestro, as his portrait hung alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto , and other Masters of the Renaissance. Artist Igor Babailov and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by Igor Babailov Collection: Vatican Museum " he power of the precious objects in this exhibition brings us all into direct contact with the history and splendor of the Vatican. Our collective appreciation of the beauty we experience encourages and promotes a sense of unity between us. The history we share as we reflect on these objects and the stories they tell is the history of our common humanity." T ~ Msgr. Roberto Zagnoli, Vatican Curator The Vatican Splendors Exhibition From left to right: Exhibit organizer Mark Greenberg, artist Igor Babailov, Vatican Curator Msgr. Roberto Zagnoli Excerpts from the Exhibition Catalogue "The Vatican Splendors exhibition includes almost 200 works of art. It brings together some of the Vatican's most precious artistic masterpieces, historical documents, and sacred objects from the world's cultural and religious heritage." (from the Exhibition Catalogue) Michelangelo Giotto Guerchino Michelangelo Babailov Ribera Camuccini Vasari Tempesta Bernini Sassoferrato Fontana Guidi Zoboli Manfrini Vatican Splendors - A Journey Through Faith and Art ~ International Exhibitions ~ Related LINKS to Igor Babailov's Vatican works Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Sacred Art Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article www.Babailov.com

Portrait studies

Official portrait of Michael Novak, theologian, author, Templeton Prize (1994), the White House adviser, by portrair artist Igor Babailov. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Michael Novak Frederick Jewett Scholar - the American Enterprise Institute, Author, Theologian, The Templeton Prize recipient 1994, Diplomat, Adviser to the Office of Ethnic Affairs, The White House. Michael Novak (oil on canvas) by Igor Babailov Michael Novak and Margaret Thatcher (left) - The Templeton Prize ceremony, Westminster Abbey, London, 1994 Michael Novak portrait unveiling. Collection: Ave Maria University, Florida VIDEO of the official portrait unveiling Life Study Oil on Canvas Collection: C iocca Center of the Busch School of Business, Catholic University of America Washington, DC Life Sitting With Andreas Widmer, Director of the Art C iocca Center at the Busch School of Business, Catholic University of America OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Igor Babailov and his Grand-size Multi-figurative Paintings. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA MURALS he ability to create complex multi-figure, large scale realistic compositions, has been recognized by generations of artists, as the highest achievement of the Artistic Expertise. T odern day artists have tendency to categorize themselves as Portrait artists, or Landscape artists, or Still-life artists, etc. But the Masters of the past, however, were learned and savvied in all these genres and referred to themselves as professional Artists, with a capital A. Their mastery was not limited nor defined by one genre, but rather by the mastery of many. Moreover, their ultimate goal was to create grand multi-figure realistic paintings, the kind of challenging works where they would use their knowledge and test their skills and truly explore themselves as a well-rounded and accomplished Artists. So let us set our goalpost high for achieving greatness, just as the Masters of the past did. M ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, KStA For Gold, God and Glory Arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. (oil on canvas, 6 feet x 7 feet) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Included in the Peruvian Encyclopedia Dedicated to the great discoverers of the 'New and Brave World' "Be Not Afraid" Official Portrait of St. John Paul II ( 2003) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Collection: Vatican "My Grandmother Told Me ... 1937" (oil on canvas, 6 feet x 5 feet) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Dedicated to the millions of Russian citizens, killed at the time of Stalin’s repressions. The artist's grandfather was one of them. "The Holy Cross." Official Portrait of Pope Francis (oil on canvas, 7 feet x 5 feet) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Collection: Vatican At work on "CREDO." (oil on canvas, 7 feet x 6 feet) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Collection: Pope St. John Paul II National Shrine, Washington, DC Privately commissioned by multiple families to immortalize their children and grandchildren in the company of two Saints, John Paul II and Mother Teresa. At work on "Mercy - Who Has To Suffer ... and Why." (oil on canvas, 8 feet x 6 feet) Original Concept & Composition Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Dedicated to CHILDREN, innocent victims of wars, terrorism, and other man-made humanitarian disasters.

Portrait of Mayor Rudy Giuliani (oil on canvas), by Igor Babailov. Officially unveiled in New York City. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Rudolph W. Giuliani Mayor of New York City (1994-2001) Collection: Giuliani Partners , NYC Portrait of Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York (Oil on canvas, 36" x 30") Original Concept & Composition, Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Attendees included Dr. Henry Kissinger (on the left) Official Portrait Unveiling Dr. Sal Ferrera with the portrait Igor Babailov with Rudy Giuliani OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Educational art articles and interviews, featuring master portrait artist Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Articles & Interviews SELECTED ARTICLES BY AND ABOUT IGOR V. BABAILOV What You Need to Know When Commissioning a Portrait Painting by Igor Babailov The Sacred Gift of Portraiture by Lorraine Ferrier, The Epoch Times "The Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will Save the World" by Igor Babailov - Featured in 'The Epoch Times', and 'Faith & Culture' While a photograph grabs a second of a lifetime, a portrait captures the essence of the individual, artist Igor Babailov tells Lorella Fava.The Times of Malta, Malta "A Portrait of the Artist" "Hunger for Beauty" Mercator interviews Alice Ramos, Ph.D., St. John's University, ( Igor Babailov is featured along with an American sculptor and a German composer) "Reviving the Renaissance; A President With Leadership" Portrait Painter Spearheads Artistic Revolution by Elizabeth Lev, ZENIT, Rome, Italy "Pontiff's aura colors artist's image" by Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, U.S.A. "Portraits de Famille" (in French) by Catherine Cochard, Le Temps Magazine, Switzerland "Painter of the Popes" by Joseph Pearce, National Catholic Register "Italian Influence on Realistic Portraiture" PRIMO magazine, Italian-American magazine, U.S.A. Interview to Polish daily Nasz Dziennik by Beata Falkowska, Nasz Dziennik, Poland Pope Francis Portrait Commissioned to American Master Artist, Igor Babailov, Hon. RAA by BroadwayWorld.com "Why We Must Keep the Traditions Alive" by Igor Babailov ( published in the International Artist Magazine, and featured on the Art Renewal Center website Letter to Artists by Igor Babailov Letter to Children at the Preparatory Art School in Russia by Igor Babailov OTHER RELATED ARTICLES Pablo Picasso's Confession From the interview of Pablo Picasso to Italian author Giovanni Papini in 1952 About Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA) College Art Association, USA

Motivational speaker, Igor Babailov, Hon.RAA is represented by one of the nation's leading Speaking Agencies, All American Speakers. Book Igor Babailov's exciting presentation "Greatest Portrait Moments" for your upcoming events. Speaker UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA All American Speakers Agency Motivational speaker, Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA(PhD), D.Litt (Hon.Causa), is represented by one of the nation's leading Speaking Agencies, All American Speakers. Babailov’s lecture presentations “Greatest Portrait Moments” with live drawing demonstrations, as well as his unique lectures on innovation and creativity and how to unleash the DaVinci genius within us, inspire students, business leaders and audiences in every field around the world. Book Igor Babailov's exciting presentations for your upcoming events here. Past Babailov presentations were held at : Mount Vernon Presidential Library, Hotel Waldorf Astoria in New York, numerous Universities, Private Clubs and other event venues across the U.S. and internationally.