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Official portrait of Pope Leo XIV, by Igor Babailov, commissioned portrait artist to Popes in the Vatican, Presidents, Prime Minister, global and business leaders. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Life Portrait Studies in preparation for the upcoming grand Oil Portrait Vatican A Life Portrait Study, Vatican Graphite Photography credit: Vatican media Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks 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 Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

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. Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome "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 Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks The Vatican Splendors exhibitions Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Master-drawings from LIFE by portrait artist and master draftsman, Igor Babailov - Portrait Drawing, Figure Drawing, Plein Air drawing, drawing studies, realistic portrait drawing, portrait study, study of character, old master techniques, graphite drawing, charcoal drawing, drawing on black paper, Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA MASTERY of DRAWING " ainting does not exist without drawing and it is drawing from life that gives the exact measure of the painter. If one can draw [from life], one can always paint! " P ~ Pietro Annigoni, Royal Portrait Painter Self-portrait in the mirror Chief Justice Annette Ziegler Supreme Court of Wisconsin Portrait study from life Pope Benedict XVI Gen. D. Petraeus, U.S. Military Commander ~ DRAWING studies from Life ~ A vital step in preparation for OIL portraits See Portrait Procedure CLICK on drawings below to see them CLOSER Pope Benedict XVI Pope Leo XIV Nelson Mandela Fr. Arne Panula Senator Michael Pitfield Pope Francis Col. Christoph Graf Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Thomas Monaghan Gen. David Petraeus Nikita Mary Prime Minister Mark Carney Justice O'Toole Hadley Arkes Dr. Paul Stumb Lawrence Glaubinger Daniel Melissa Fr. Larry Dunham Alex Geacintov Dr. Jeff Balser Judge Seth Norman Bill Gallo Vincent Pitta

Portrait Artist Igor Babailov, Master Artist - Commissioned Portraits in Oil on Canvas - Government, Corporate, Judicial, Medical, Celebrity and Family - Nashville. Men UP Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA PORTRAITS of MEN Government, Corporate, Celebrity & Distinguished Private Commissions (selected commissioned portraits) "We chose you to paint the portrait, because there is no "formula" in your works, as they each capture individuality." ~ Joan E. Stein-Streilein, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Pope Francis U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Babailov Corporate Portrait Unveilings Prime Minister Brian Mulroney Nikita - Private Collections SELECTED COMMISSIONED PORTRAITS CLICK on portraits below for more information and to see them CLOSER Pope Benedict XVI George Washington President George W. Bush Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. General David Petraeus Justice Clarence Thomas Pope Leo XIV Prime Minister Brian Mulroney President Vladimir Putin Pope St. John Paul II Pope Francis Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich Mayor Rudy Giuliani - New York City Patriarch Kirill Prime MinisterJean Chretien Prime Minister Mark Carney Prince Andrew Governor Yves Fortier Amb. Michael Novak Isadore Sharp - founder of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Byron Janis Reggie Jackson - baseball star Bergthor Endresen Col. Christoph Graf - Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, Vatican James Gandolfini - actor Michel Perron Justice Joseph. P. Sullivan Thomas Monaghan - founder of Domino's Pizza & Ave Maria University Dr. Wright Pinson - CEO, Vandervilt Health System Cardinal Christophe Pierre Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Judge Seth W. Norman Dr. Robert Kimura Paul Dinkel Mikhail Kalashnikov Stan Danford Tony Lo Bianco - actor Nelson Mandela Christopher Columbus - historic painting, group portrait Ted Lazenby Senator Michael Pitfield Tiki Barber - football star Lawrence Glaubinger Claude-Andre Piquette Regis Philbin - TV personality Bob Costas - TV & sports personality Slavko Acimovic Jack Reitman Andre Berard Akira Kurosawa - film director Frank Military - music publisher Hon. Michael Meighen - McGill University Billy G. Hudson, Ph.D David C. Hill Pete Quaife - The KINKS Dr. Frank Harrell Jr. Synergistics Industies Ltd. Michael Novak David Gibbs Hubert Powell Col. Derek Frost, Scottish Regiment Andrew C. Maracle, Sr. My friend, Valery Bobby Hull - hockey legend Dr. Luke Gregory Vladislav Tretiak - hockey Legend Senator Herman Moore, North Carolina Pavel Efremkin - Inventor Curtis Simic - Indiana University Dr. Robert Carver Bone Lanny Martin - Northwestern University Dr. J. Wayne Streilein Grant Gibbs John Ross Frederick Hart - sculptor Brendan Marrocco Dr. Cyril Geacintov Boomer Esiason - football star Peter Johnson Bucky Dent - baseball star Albert Lowenthal James Robertson - explorer, founder of Nashville & Tennessee John Bello - SoBe beverages Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC - New York City Dr. Allan Sniderman Gerald B. Cramer Edward J. Rosenthal Ronald H. McGlynn Mayor Neil Ellis Mayor of Picton Nicholas Eberstadt Mayor Al Piroth Stanley Bey Jules Plangiere - publisher Ben Tankard - Reality TV star Paul Doherty Other Portrait Galleries WOMEN GROUP PORTRAITS CHILDREN What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach

"Be Not Afraid" is the Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II, by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: Vatican, Castelgandolfo Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II " He will stand as the most influential moral voice of our time." ~ The Reverent Billy Graham "Believe - Be Not Afraid" Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Oil on Canvas (60" x 48") Collection: Vatican, Castel Gandolfo "Believe - Be Not Afraid" , the portrait of Pope John Paul II was officially commissioned in commemoration of the World Youth Days and the 25th Anniversary of The Pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Creative research included references from the Vatican archives. Mr. Babailov was granted an audience with the Pope and received His Holiness's Blessing. CLICK "Thank you for painting the Pope younger in his appearance, because he IS young and strong in his spirit, surrounded by the youth who had followed him, always replying generously to his call for a life of faith and love. How many experiences, how many feelings reflect the expression of the symbolism which is found in this painting! It is impossible to put them all in words..." ~ Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Ventura About the Painting This painting is more than a portrait in its 'traditional' sense. It is about the eternal values of humanity. In "Believe - Be Not Afraid" the Artist identifies a number of those values, which are portrayed symbolically in the images of the Youth surrounding Pope St. John Paul II, known as "The Peoples' Pope", who also established the famous World Youth Day celebration. Some of those values are FAITH, LOVE, MERCY, and STRENGTH through Suffering. The young people on the painting represent our future. According to Pope St. John Paul II, the Youth are ' The Salt of the Earth.' Regardless of our geographical and religious backgrounds, we are all 'Children of God.' As a family, we must be together in our souls and values. "Believe - Be Not Afraid" is a part of the Vatican Museum collection. By the Personal Decree of Pope John Paul II, "Believe - Be Not Afraid" is displayed at the Vatican's historic Castel Gandolfo, the Papal Summer Residence. "My ultimate goal and aim as an artist was to portray Pope St. John Paul II the way he would be remembered: energetic, 'down to earth', much loved and close to people." ~ Igor V. Babailov Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, by Igor Babailov. Collection: Vatican Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Vatican Col. Christoph Graf, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard (oil on canvas, 50"x 42") Portrait of Col. Christoph Graf, 35th Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, appointed by Pope Francis, was commissioned to Igor Babailov for the historic portrait collection of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Commanders' portraits. Commander Graf with his portrait Collection: Vatican Life portrait sitting and life studies of the Commander's armors in preparation for the official oil portrait Official collection: Vatican Official Vatican Pontifical Swiss Guard Seal, presented to Igor Babailov by the Commander Igor Babailov - Vatican portrait sitting with the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks The Vatican Splendors exhibitions Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope Francis Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV The Sacred Art Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Official Portrait of His Holiness Pope Francis by Igor V. Babailov. Collection: Vatican. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits His Holiness Pope Francis Collection: Vatican Official Portrait Unveiling Igor Babailov shares with Pope Francis the painting's symbolism. "The Holy Cross" Portrait of His Holiness Pope Francis Oil on Canvas, 72" x 48" ( 183 cm x 122 cm ) Original Concept & Composition, Copyright © Igor V. Babailov "This work is inspired, it touches my heart!" ~ Pope Francis ABOUT THE PORTRAIT "Like with my many other portrait works, Pope Francis’s portrait is more than a portrait in its traditional sense. Its large canvas incorporates a number of symbolic references reflective of Pope Francis: his spirituality and devotion to the Holy Family, love for children and, of course, his washing the feet of the everyday disciples. The word ‘Pontiff’ derives from the word ‘pont’ (bridge) and means the ‘bridge builder,’ so the rainbow behind the Holy Father, symbolizes a bridge that connects the Catholic Church with other religions (represented in the painting by the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey). The theme of cross is present throughout the whole painting. The portrait composition is comprised of five major ‘actions’: Pope Francis in the middle, as the focus of the painting, and four groups, located diagonally in both directions towards the corners of the canvas. The Pope’s figure connects them all together, forming a cross. The other cross is prompted by the bright beam of God’s light that comes from above, between the Dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit) on the right and the Holy Family with the little Jesus in the arms of Mary, on the left. This setting invites the viewer to sense the sign of the cross: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The journey of the viewer’s eye begins with the Holy Father and in circular movement returns back to him, as he gently puts the hands over the cross on his cassock, protecting gesture. This is also his typical posture. I reminisce the unveiling of the portrait to Pope Francis, when he put his hand on his heart and said about the painting, “It touches me” and then he added, “It inspires.” ~ Igor V. Babailov Photo credit: Official Vatican photography Life Portrait Studies, Vatican The papal portrait unveiling featured on the billboard at Times Square, New York City. VIDEO "The Man who Painted Pope Francis" Igor Babailov's Vatican Paintings & other Sacred Artworks Official Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI Official Portrait of Pope St. John Paul II Life Portrait Studies for the upcoming Portrait of Pope Leo XIV Official Portrait of the Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard The Vatican Splendors exhibition Igor Babailov's other Sacred Artworks Resurrection of Realism - Beauty will save the world - article OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov

Studio of Igor V. Babailov - world-renowned portrait artist in Nashville, official portraits of Presidents, Popes, British royalty, Justices. Distinguished private, corporate and museum collections around the world. Igor V. Babailov Commissioned Portraits & other works of Art Master of Fine Arts / Ph.D. (NASAD) Hon. American Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts (est.1757) Knighted Chevalier of the Order of St. Anne (est.1735) Honorary Doctor of Letters "A great Portrait Painting stands far beyond AI and photography!" Igor V. Babailov Hon.RAA, KStA, MFA/Ph.D. (NASAD), D.Litt (Hon.Causa) , World-renowned Portrait Artist, was selected to paint legacy portraits of Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Prime Ministers, Fortune 500 CEOs, Nobel Prize Laureates, members of noble families and Royalty, and three Popes for the Vatican. Acknowledged as Maestro by the Vatican curator, in his life-time professional and illustrious career as a portrait artist, he has created over 2,000 commissioned portraits, grand scale multi-figure paintings and other works of art for museums, official public, distinguished private and corporate collections around the world. He is the only portrait artist in America to have received The Ellis Island Medal of Honor with his name read into the Congressional Record. ENTER The Ellis Island Medal of Honor Please CLICK above for details NEW Book Legacy Portraits Get your autographed copy with the personal dedication. O nly on this website. In this new book, LEGACY PORTRAITS , Igor Babailov shares his upfront and close experiences of meeting and painting people from all walks of life: from schoolchildren to Fortune 500 CEOs and Supreme Court Justices, from sport legends and movie stars to Presidents, Prime Ministers and Popes in the Vatican. This one is the official portrait of Justice Samuel Alito by Igor Babailov, Collection: U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C. The Only Living Artist Vatican Splendors Museum Tours Portrait of Pope Benedict XVI by Igor Babailov Collection: Vatican Museum, Rome Highest Honor for Portraiture from Royalty Times Square, New York City What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting PORTRAIT PROCEDURE The Master Approach TESTIMONIALS Share

Portrait Master, Igor V. Babailov - Established Portrait Painting Procedure & Portrait Fees. Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA, KStA PORTRAIT PROCEDURE PLEASE NOTE: or a successful Portrait Painting, especially when photographic references may be used, it is VITAL for an artist to have the enriched experience and ability to work from life, particularly DRAW FROM LIFE. Such experience enables the artist to portray likeness with the most natural and life-like appearance which truly immortalizes the person, and creates the portrait far beyond its photographic references. ~ Igor V. Babailov, Hon. RAA F Prime Minister Brian Mulroney - official portrait sitting. U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito. In preparation for the official oil portrait. The Master Approach in Preparation for Portrait Painting Igor Babailov ' s life-time experience in portrait painting allows him to work comfortably from life or from photographs. When the photographic references may be used, in the instances when clients have busy schedules or with children for whom it is difficult to sit for extended periods, or for posthumous portraits and those commissioned as a surprise, etc., Mr. Babailov applies his invaluable knowledge of painting from life, acquired through his life-time experience and unsurpassed 16 years of formal academic fine art education (1974-1990) within the master-studios of the historically acclaimed Russian Academy of Arts (founded in 1757) that gave the world some of the greatest artists in art history, including Kramskoy, Repin, Serov, and American artist, James McNeill Whistler. The initial meeting with the client usually takes two and a half hours and is scheduled at the artist’s studio or the client’s location. The overall idea, size and the wall location where the portrait would be displayed are discussed, and Babailov will take numerous photographic references of the subject, to be used in the creation of the portrait. During this meeting, Igor Babailov also masterfully demonstrates his skill of DRAWING FROM LIFE , o ne of th e MOST IMPORTANT steps in preparation for portrait painting, as he draws his subject precisely, fast, and right in front of the client. "If one can Draw from life, one can always Paint !" ~ Pietro Annigoni, Royal Portrait Painter The Master Tradition of Portraiture Igor Babailov, Hon. RAA is one of the very few artists today who can comfortably DRAW from LIFE (not only from photographs). Thus, his Portrait Painting Procedure resembles precisely those of the Great Masters of Portraiture, such as Ilya Repin and John Singer Sargent , because it begins with DRAWING his portrait subjects from LIFE first, a vital step in preparation for portrait painting . Just like the Masters of the past, in these studies, Igor Babailov captures impeccable likeness, character and personality in a matter of minutes and seconds, regardless of the sitter's age. This requires the artist's independence from the camera and ability to DRAW in the timeless tradition of Portraiture, entirely from Life, which today is a fundamental challenge for many painters. SAMPLES of Portrait Drawings from LIFE MORE Drawing Studies from LIFE The Skill of Drawing from LIFE that matters in Portrait Painting Procedure ... Realistic DRAWING from LIFE is a challenging yet rewarding task that requires an artist to capture a portrait subject’s perfect likeness and their essence quickly and right in front of the sitter. Drawing from life prompts artists to respond to subtle changes in lighting, expressions, perspective, etc., all in real time. It develops the skill that allows artists to make more creative decisions about how to represent their subject, rather than simply copying a flat image from a photograph. Drawing is usually monochromatic, therefore its focus is entirely on the accuracy of tonal values and precise proportions, leaving no room for errors (which can normally be camouflaged in painting by using destructing bright colors or 'flying' brushstrokes). So, in monochromatic drawing, even a tiny mistake in likeness would be immediately visible to others. Experts say, “Drawing never fails, but often the artist does,” this is why most of today's portrait artists shy away from drawing entirely from life, especially in front of their clients. However, it is Drawing from Life that has been recognized by generations of all the greatest portrait painters in art history, as a VITAL STEP in preparing for portrait painting. DRAWING from LIFE offers invaluable insight into the sitter's unique facial features, character, and personality through direct interaction, making it the essential foundation for truly capturing the subject’s spirit and soul. Thus, a rich experience and mastery of drawing from life is a great added value in any portrait procedure and a must to practice for every portrait painter, in order to convey a life-like appearance of their portrait subjects. Igor Babailov's life-time experience and years of formal academic training allow him to complete a finely detailed DRAWING STUDY from life within 30 minutes . At the same time, clients have the opportunity to see the artist 'in action' and his skill in capturing a full of character life-likeness, right on the spot, within a brief period of time, with only a black & white pencil. After all, "if one can draw from life [NOT from photos!], one can always paint", said master portrait painter Pietro Annigoni . Please also see: What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting ) Compositional studies After the initial meeting, Mr. Babailov provides the client with several original, artistic and hand-created compositional master-studies, to determine the best compositional setting of the figure in the background, most suitable for the portrait. Once the decision on the choice of composition is made, the artist professionally prepares the museum quality appropriate weight canvas to start painting the actual portrait. A 40%-50% deposit (the amount of deposit is determined by the size of the portrait) is required upon the signing of the Portrait Agreement and before the work begins. Mr. Babailov travels extensively to the schedule and convenience of his portrait client’s location and caters to a distinguished professional clientele, in the United States, Canada and around the world. A NOTE for Portrait Clients and their Interior Designers Traditionally and historically, a great portrait painting stands on its own - it is more than a typical decorative item that fits a particular interior style, or caters to a color trend / fashion of a moment in time, because the great portrait painting is timeless and it passes onto children and their children and onto future generations in the family. The great portrait painting also stands far beyond photography, because it is NOT a copy of a split second photographic moment of a physical appearance, but it captures the inner world of the person. Unlike photographs which visibly fade and deteriorate in just a couple of decades, it takes 450 years for oil paint to dry completely, making a portrait painting truly a Legacy portrait that lasts forever. Fees Igor Babailov's Fees are quoted in U.S. Dollars and available upon request at Info@Babailov.com Prices are determined by the portrait size, number of people and medium used. Available traditional portrait mediums are: Oil on Canvas /Linen, Charcoal /Sepia /Graphite and Pastel. Portraits of Men Family and Children Portraits of Women What You Need To Know When Commissioning A Portrait Painting CLICK Testimonials CONTACT US

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

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.

Portrait of Tom Monaghan - Founder of Domino Pizza, Owner of Detroit Tigers, Chancellor of Ave Maria University, Portrait (oil on canvas) by Igor Babailov. Igor V. Babailov, Hon.RAA, KStA Recent Official Portraits Thomas Monaghan Founder of Domino Pizza, Owner of Detroit Tigers, Chancellor of Ave Maria University (Oil on Canvas, 52" x 40") Collection: Ave Maria University, Florida Preliminary Sketch from life in preparation for Oil painting. OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS by Igor Babailov