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Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by portrait artist Igor Babaillov, selected by the Pope for the Vatican Splendors international museum tour and exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and other Masters of the Renaissance. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Selected by the Pope for the Vatican Splendors international museum tour, exhibited alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and other Masters of the Renaissance. "The Truth, The Way and The Life" Portrait of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Oil on Canvas, 72" x 48" ( 183 cm x 122 cm ) Collection: Vatican Museum, Vatican, Rome With His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican At the Vatican Splendors with the organizers of the exhibition and Vatican Curator At work on the portrait of Pope Benedict XVI "This portrait is much more than an image, it is a painting of a presence. It catches the Pope’s shyness, physical presence and strength ... one of the best portraits of the Pope, I've ever seen! ~ Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Collection: Vatican Museum, Vatican, Rome Related LINKS to Igor Babailov's Vatican works The Vatican Splendors exhibitions 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 OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Igor Babailov, All Galleries, Commissioned Portrait Paintings & Drawings, Murals, Sacred Art, Landscapes & Other Works. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA ALL GALLERIES PORTRAITS MURALS SACRED ART OTHER WORKS PRESS & NEWS PRESS GALLERY VATICAN SPLENDORS MASTER - CLASSES

Portrait artist Igor Babailov - Videos, Interviews, TV news, portrait unveilings, portraits in life sittings. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA VIDEOS "The Dancing Pencil of Igor Babailov" A time lapse of a live portrait demonstration by Igor Babailov at Vanderbilt University. Official Portrait of Pope Francis - interview with Igor Babailov Regis Philbin unveils his portrait, painted by Igor Babailov, to millions of his viewers on the national TV. Igor Babailov interviewed by New York Daily News Local Artist in charge of Pope Francis Portrait Igor Babailov - Vatican portrait sitting with the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Portrait sitting with Mikhail Kalashnikov - Inventor of AK-47 Igor Babailov draws portrait from life - time lapse

Portrait of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew The Duke of York, by Igor V. Babailov. Royal Collection: Buckingham Palace, London. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Royal Highness Prince Andrew The Duke of York Royal Collection: Buckingham Palace, London Portrait of HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York (Oil on canvas, 28" x 22") Original Concept & Composition, Copyright © Igor V. Babailov Officially commissioned by the SSMAC Club, New York City Official Portrait Unveiling, 2014 Igor V. Babailov presenting his book Greatest Portrait Moments to HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York. See an article in London's art magazine Cossone . OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait of Prime Minister Jean Chretien (Charcoal on Canvas), by Igor Babailov. Collection: Power Corporation of Canada. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Prime Minister Jean Chretien 20th Prime Minister of Canada Portrait of The Right Honourable Jean Chretien , 20th Prime Minister of Canada (Charcoal on Canvas, 40" x 30") Collection: Power Corporation of Canada Portrait sitting with Prime Minister Jean Chretien at 24 Sussex, the official Prime Ministers' residence in Ottawa, Canada Original Graphite Portrait Studies, done in a life-sitting with Prime Minister Jean Chretien OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

In this article, portrait artist Igor Babailov speaks out on the need to return to traditional academic training for visual artists.  Featured in the "International Artist" Magazine Why we must keep the traditions alive Igor Babailov speaks out on the need and the opportunities to return to traditional academic training for visual artists. by Igor Babailov Traditional academic education has become a touchy subject in the contemporary debate over what an art education should be. In the second half of the 20th century, the majority of art schools rejected the traditional approach in their programs, creating not only confusion and chaos in students' minds, but a diminished appreciation of fine art in viewers' eyes. Going back through centuries of art history, generations of artists agreed that traditional studies were a "must" for every art student, encompassing all "views" and "visions", Art, just like a house, needs a strong foundation to prevent it from falling apart in the future, and an academic education provides that foundation. But in the last few decades, human anatomy and drawing - the fundamental necessities for developing true artistic skill - have been completely erased from the pages of students' books. These subjects have been replaced by canvases covered in dribbles and splatters of paint, or by simple geometric colored shapes, and then they are told to believe that these are somehow as great as the old masters. What could possibly be more destructive to a sound art education? In the past 10 years of my teaching career, with students from around the world, I have met many "victims" of such modern-day programs whose talents were imprisoned in the bush of "free expression.." I see them seeking the guiding light of strong traditional instruction wherever it's available. Outposts of tradition Fortunately, academic training has not been completely stamped out. I received a sound traditional education when I was a student at the Surikov Academy of Fine Arts in Moscow, one of the very few old art institutions left in the world that has not been infected by the epidemic of "modernism". The Florence Academy of Art in Italy is another school of this nature, where I had the opportunity to instruct a figure painting class last summer. My good friend and a wonderful artist Allan R. Banks from Florida introduced me to this school. I was very happy to discover that the discipline of step-by-step academic curriculum is the main requirement for students of the Florence Academy. The Florence Academy of Art is a branch of the International Academy of Realist Art, and like the Surikov Academy, it is dedicated to the intensive study and teaching of the Old Masters' methods and techniques. It was founded in 1991 by Daniel Graves, who studied with Richard Lack in Minnesota and later came under the influence of Piertro Annigoni. Graves envisions the Academy as an institution with the potential to turn out a select group of highly skilled Realist painters. Here, internationally varied students can receive training from professional painters of different nationalities and educational backgrounds. The core of academic training Teaching at the Florence Academy was a great experience for me as well. Naturally, I was compairing it to the Surikov Academy, and the similarities in the educational approach were apparent. Both schools emphasize studying the human form, working from life and copying the Old Masters. Drawing and anatomy - the two most important subjects that every artist should know as well as the "two-times table" - are highlighted in both programs. In these courses, most of the hours are devoted to understanding and solving the problems of form and proportions, tonal (value) relationships and chiaroscuro. The students are also required to study composition, human anatomy, perspective and the technology of art materials - all of the ABC's for mastering an artist's skill. In drawing class, students learn the Old Masters' sight-size method of drawing: You stand in the same place in relation to the subject and to your absolutely upright easel, and draw the subject in the same size you see it. Working from a single vantage point marked on the floor, you take visual measurements by sighting along a plumb line. After this study, you step forward to work on the drawing from memory. The benefits to be gained from this exercise are enormous. It trains your visual memory, intensifies your ability to see proportions and foreshortenings, and coordinates your eye. As I always tell my students, the importance of good drawing skills cannot be overemphasized. In the words of Nicolas Poussin, "Drawing is the skeleton of what you do and color is its flash." Painting with the Masters Perhaps one of the most essential exercises in learning to paint is the copying of master works in the museums, a practice that's still maintained by both of these traditional academies. As a student at the Surikov Academy, I was fortunate to have access to such museums as the Pushkin Museum, the Russian Museum and the Hermitage. The students at the Florence Academy have similar opportunities, as the school is located in the center of the city, a short walk from the Duomo, the Accademia and the famous Uffizi Gallery. Academy students are given special permission to draw from originals at the Uffizi Gallery's Old Masters Drawing Room. Of course, copying involves more than expressing your feeling of the subject and reproducing it in your own words. To create a copy, you literally follow step by step after the master artist's procedure, getting to know his method, understanding his philosophy of the "stroke- treatment" and so on. Such practice allows you to understand how the great artists from the past translated three-dimensional form into two dimensions. The copying experience cannot be conveyed in just a few words. When your easel is only a couple of inches away from an original painting or drawing by, let's say, Rubens, it's as if you're having a dialogue with that master. This feeling is indescribable. And to have such an experience while immersed in history, surrounded by Renaissance sculptures, architecture and museum treasures - the whole atmosphere of Florence - is an incredible inspiration, generating a hunger for learning the secrets of the Old Masters. The academic experience The curriculum of the Florence Academy of Art is based on the tradition begun in Italy and developed in the academies of northern Europe, particularly in the major Realist ateliers of 19th-century Paris, best exemplified by that of Jean-Léon Gérôme. Similarly, the system of training in the Surikov Academy is based on the best traditions of Russian as well as European Realist schools, including French Academic tradition. Today's students in both the Surikov and Florence academies find themselves in the privileged situation of having models available almost all day, every day. As they work, they receive criticism that is continuous, precise, non-compromising and gauged to the individual progress. I believe that only by seeing the mistakes can you really learn. The Florence Academy of Art is continuing another tradition, in which artists are trained to master more than a single genre or medium, working in sculpture along with painting. Skill in drawing lies at the core of both these disciplines. In addition to the Drawing and Painting Program, the Florence Academy now offers two new programs of study - Sculpture and Intensive Drawing. There is hope As the spiral of modern art history continues to wind down, we can see the increasing demand for tradition in the visual arts. Although much damage to academic education has been done, there are more and more artists, organizations and schools around the world trying to bring the traditions back, to restore the values left to us by the Old Masters. Ultimately, the aim of such schools of Realist art should be to train artists who are able to draw to a very high standard; have a deep understanding and knowledge of anatomy, perspective and composition as foundations for great painting; have positive attitudes toward life and nature, and see it and express it in their works with uncompromising truth; and have a great knowledge of the Old Masters' methods and techniques, and apply them to their own works in order to preserve these methods for future generations of artists. Now, more than ever before, we Realist artists should join together in a worldwide effort to achieve these educational goals [for example, as found in the work of the American Society of Classical Realism (ASCR), The Art Renewal Center (ARC), the American Society of Portrait Artists (ASOPA) and other sound organizations, dedicated to a renewal in the visual arts]. Regardless of the geographical location and differences in "mother tongues", we have the same idols and the same principles. Our language of communication is our Art. Sharing it with each other and teaching it -- that is the key to the success and never-ending beauty and harmony of Realism. _________________________________________________________________________________________ International Artist Magazine is a Fine Art Magazine, published in Australia. This magazine has wide distribution and is read by serious and professional artists around the world. Mr. Babailov's article on Why we must keep the traditions alive is a direct result of his teaching at the Florence Academy of Fine Art, Italy. It is candid description of his personal views on Classical Realism and his experiences as a professional artist and teacher. The article has generated very positive response from its readers, worldwide. Why we must keep the traditions alive is featured on pages 18-20 of the February/March issue, 2000 of the International Artist Magazine. Igor Babailov's students, Figure Painting class Florence, Italy after K. Flavitsky's "Portrait of an Italian girl" by Igor Babailov Museum copy, Surikov Academy, 3rd year

Multi-figure mural size painting - Group Portrait of Christopher Columbus, "For Gold, God and Glory", by portrait artist Igor Babailov, historic portrait paintings Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Group Portraits and Multifigure Murals For Gold, God and Glory Portrait of Christopher Columbus Included in Peruvian Encyclopedia on discoveries of the Americas For Gold, God and Glory - Portrait of Christopher Columbus (Oil on Canvas, 70"x79"), Copyright © by Igor Babailov THE STORY "For Gold, God and Glory" (Oil on Canvas, 70"x79") is the artist’s own rendition of the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his crew in the Americas. There were only several portraits of Columbus painted in the History of Art and they all looked like portraits of different people, because nobody knew exactly what Columbus looked like. Igor Babailov created “his own” Columbus and based his careful depiction of features and likeness on the biographical description written about Christopher Columbus by Columbus's son. Mr. Babailov used no models, but set up a mirror with one source of light and used his own image in the mirror to create facial expressions, body and hand positions for the subjects in the painting. Preparation for the painting also involved historical research including investigation into the clothing and the fashion of that period. Igor Babailov portrayed Christopher Columbus to honor all those before him that came to make this continent their home. At work on "For Gold, God and Glory" in 1992. Painting's CLOSEUPS Every face is created entirely from the Artist's Imagination. Mr. Babailov used no models, but set up a mirror with one source of light and used his own image in the mirror to create expressions and hand positions for subjects in the painting. Featured in: Peruvian Encyclopedia Empresa Editora Il Comercio, S.A. (2004) PRIMO - Italian-American Magazine (2001) and many other publications ...

Family Portraits of WOMEN by Igor Babailov. Full-length portrait of Theresa Menefee, oil on canvas. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Family Portrait Paintings Theresa Menefee Oil on Canvas, 64" x 48" To commission a custom portrait by Mr. Babailov and/or for any questions feel free to CONTACT us. PORTRA ITS of WOMEN by Igor Babailov

Portrait artist Igor Babailov - one-page biography for media inquiries, Presidential, Royal, Popes, Celebrity, Honors, Nobility, Art Education, Children Charities, Nashville - New York - Washington - Naples - Vatican. IGOR V. BABAILOV , Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA (Ph.D), D.Litt.(Ho n.Causa) ABOUT THE ARTIST For Media Inquiries ( o ne-page BIO ) Igor V. Babailov , Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA(PhD), D.Litt (Hon.Causa) , world-renowned American portrait artist, recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2022), is one of the most sought after portraitists of our times. Deemed Living Master by his contemporaries, he was selected to paint legacy portraits of three living Presidents of three countries, two living Prime Ministers, members of the noble families and British Royalty, and three living Popes for the Vatican. His notable commissioned portrait subjects include: President George W. Bush (George W. Bush Presidential Library), U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito (Supreme Court of the United Sates), First Lady Hillary R. Clinton (Clinton Presidential Library), Pope Francis , Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II , now a Saint (all three for the Vatican), Prince Andrew The Duke of York (Buckingham Palace, London), Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney (Parliament Hill, Ottawa), Prime Minister Jean Chretien (Power Corporation), Nelson Mandela (Presidential Collection, South Africa), Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York (Giuliani Partners); Isadore Sharp , Founder & CEO of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts; Mark Carney , Governor of the Bank of England; The Honorable Joseph P. Sullivan (Supreme Court of New York), Actor James Gandolfini , Baseball Star Reggie Jackson , Football Stars Boomer Esiason and Tiki Barber , Hockey Star Bobby Hull , Legendary Film Director Akira Kurosawa (commissioned by Kurosawa Productions, Japan), and many other prominent figures for prestigious collections. In 2009, the new portrait of George Washington by Igor Babailov was officially inducted into George Washington’s Mount Vernon Museum. The same year, U.S. General and later CIA Director, David Petraeus, presented the artist with the Award ‘For Excellence’ for the work on his official legacy portrait (Collection: West Point Museum). In 2010, Vatican Curator, Roberto Zagnoli, acknowledged Igor Babailov as Maestro when his Vatican portrait of Pope Benedict XVI was selected by the Pope for the Vatican Splendors international museum tour. Babailov was honored to be the only living artist in the exhibition, as his papal portrait hung alongside the works of Michelangelo, Bernini, Giotto and other Masters of the Renaissance. In 2012, Igor Babailov was elected an Honorary American Academician of Painting into the historically acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (founded 1757 ). In recent years, previous recipients of this honor included designer Pierre Cardin, HRH Princess Chantal of France and the American artist, Andrew Wyeth. In 2015, the TN Senate and House of Representatives passed Resolution No.69 “To recognize Igor Babailov and celebrate his artistic achievements.” This bill was signed into Law by Governor Bill Haslam. In 2019, Igor Babailov was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by one of the oldest and historic U.S. universities, Cumberland University (founded in 1842). In 2020, for his life-time achievements and contributions in the arts, Igor Babailov and his family were granted Hereditary Nobility with the official Coat of Arms, by Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria, Head of The Imperial House of Romanov. In 2022, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor that ranks as one of the most prestigious awards in America. Recipients of this honor are read into the Congressional Record and include eight U.S. Presidents, several Nobel Prize Laureates, leaders in business, arts, politics, and other. The ability to create multi-figure murals is traditionally recognized as the highest achievement of the artistic expertise. Besides being a prolific portraitist, Mr. Babailov’s uniqueness as an artist is also evident in his large-scale Old Master-like compositions such as the historical painting, “For God, Gold and Glory” , depicting the arrival of Columbus and his crew in the Americas (permanently featured in the Peruvian Encyclopedia). His multi-figure painting “Be Not Afraid” , the official historic portrait of Pope John Paul II, now a Saint, was commissioned in commemoration of the World Youth Days. It is in the collection of the Vatican Museum and by the personal decree of the late Pope, it is displayed in Castel Gandolfo, the Papal summer residence. His epic painting “MERCY - Our Shared Humanity” , portraying a diverse crowd with many children of various cultural and religious backgrounds, is currently underway and it is dedicated to the timeless issue of ongoing global humanitarian (often man-made) disasters and to its innocent victims, children. Child prodigy, Igor Babailov began his formal classical art training at the age of nine, the same age as Raphael, studying with leading Masters of traditional painting and drawing. In the span of 16 years (1974-1990), Babailov attained the highest level of fine art education and received his Master of Fine Arts degree (official Ph.D. equivalent in the U.S.) under the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757), which taught and gave the world many outstanding Masters of portraiture, including Repin, Serov, and the great American artist, Whistler. Babailov’s fine art education especially contributed to his unparalleled skill in academic drawing (or drawing from life ), which today is a fundamental challenge for many painters. Recipient of numerous national and international awards and honors , Babailov is an advocate for timeless values in the academic tradition of portrait painting. He has taught at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy and has been invited to lecture and demonstrate his artistic skills at universities, art venues and private clubs. Knighted Chevalier of the Order of St. Anne (est.1735) , Igor Babailov is a member of the National Arts Club in New York City, member of the Russian Nobility Association in America, and Distinguished Fellow at the Catholic University of America; he is active in charity works, especially those for children’s causes. Vatican awarded him the Pontifical medal of Pope John Paul II and the International Academy of Culture and Art awarded him the Order “For Service to Art” (The Golden Star). He was bestowed with the State title ‘Honored Artist of Udmurtia’ in Russia and recognized as Drawing Master in Canada and Living Master by the Art Renewal Center in the U.S. EXTENDED BIO

New York Daily News writes an article about portrait artist Igor Babailov and his offiicial portrait of Pope Benedict XVI. BY DAVE GOLDINER DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Tuesday, April 15th 2008, 4:00 AM New York, NY Pontiff's aura colors artist's image Pope Benedict 's official portrait will be unveiled on Tuesday night - and the artist hopes it provides a unique window into the pontiff's soul. Painter Igor Babailov says he labored to create a realistic image of the holy father, but also to convey the inner power that lets him inspire billions of people worldwide. "There is this special aura about him," Babailov, 43, said Monday. "When he touches you, something special happens in the room." Benedict, who sat for several preliminary sketches with Babailov, will see the finished portrait for the first time tonight at the Vatican ambassador's residence in Washington . The life-size work of art depicts the pontiff, hands clasped in front of him, standing next to Jesus - images meant to show the power of faith and prayer. "We're all God's children," Babailov said. "We are all special people, and the Pope is no different." The painting is like an early birthday present for the Pope, who turns 81 tomorrow. It drew rave reviews from Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. "It is much more than an image but rather a painting of a presence," Sambi said. Babailov grew up in Russia in a family of artists. He is no stranger to painting famous people: He has done portraits of President Bush , Nelson Mandela , Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani . Perhaps Babailov's most important assignment was a portrait of Pope John Paul II in 2003. The late pontiff loved the work so much that he had it moved to his Vatican apartment as he lay on his deathbed. Babailov journeyed to Rome 18 months ago to start working on a half-dozen sketches of the regal-looking Pope Benedict. "It's a luxury to have so much time, especially with someone so important and busy," he said. "You have to get a feel for the person." dgoldiner@nydailynews.com With Bill Gallo

Official Portrait of General David H. Petraeus, US Military Commander and CIA Director - West Point Academy portrait by Igor Babailov. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Gen. David H. Petraeus U.S. Military Commander, CIA Director (Oil on Canvas, 36" x 36") Official Collection: West Point Museum United States Military Academy at West Point, NY "It is not every day that a man sees himself captured by the hand of such artistry. Please know that it was my honor to be the subject of one of your works." ~ David H. Petraeus In preparation for the official portrait painting of General David H. Petraeus General David H. Petraeus Award "For Excellence" Presented to Igor Babailov by General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Military Commander, CIA Director, for the work on his portrait at West Point Academy Museum. OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait paintings of precious Children - by Portrait Master artist Igor Babailov. Distinguished Family & Private Collections. Naples - Nashville - New York - Washington - Charlotte. Children UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA PORTRAITS of CHILDREN (selected portraits) "What can be more precious, than our precious children.." ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA CLICK on portraits to see them CLOSER What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Portrait Master Approach