Summary
Igor Valerievich Babailov (born February 9, 1965) is an American portrait artist known for his commissioned portraits of global leaders, celebrities and distinguished individuals. Some of his notable portraits include those of: U.S. President George W. Bush[1][2] (George W. Bush Presidential Library), U.S. Military Commander and CIA Director, General David H. Petraeus[3] (West Point Academy Museum), Pope Francis[4] (Vatican), Pope Benedict XVI[1][5](Vatican), Pope John Paul II[1][5](Vatican), Nelson Mandela,[1] New York State Appellate Division Justice Joseph P. Sullivan[6] (Appellate Division Courthouse of New York State), Mayor Rudolph Giuliani[7] of New York (Giuliani Partners), Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney[8] (House of Commons), pianist Byron Janis[9] (Steinway Hall), Templeton Prize recipient Michael Novak[10] of the American Enterprise Institute, Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Col. Christoph Graf[11] (Vatican), TV personality Regis Philbin[12] and numerous other prominent figures for public and private collections.[1]
Besides portrait works, Babailov is also known for his large scale multi-figurative paintings, such as his “For Gold, God and Glory” painting[1] and “Believe” painted for the Vatican on the occasion of the World Youth Days.[5]
Background and academia edit
Babailov began his formal art education at nine years of age.[13] He received his Master of Fine Art's degree from the Surikov Academy of Fine Arts[13] of The Moscow School of Painting acclaimed for its famous teachers and alumni: Valentin Serov, Konstantin Korovin, and Abram Arkhipov among others.
Scholar and advocate of the traditional values in visual arts, Mr. Babailov's teachings highlight the importance of drawing from life as a foundation for strong painting.[14] Babailov holds workshops and portrait demonstrations in universities, art colleges, art societies, and private clubs in the US, Canada, and internationally.[1] He is a public speaker, represented by the All American Speakers Bureau.[15]
Babailov has been featured in professional art publications and news media, such as: The New York Daily News,[1] National Review, The Moscow Times, CBC News[16] the Vatican's ZENIT,[17] Live with Regis and Kelly Show,[18] The Artist's Magazine,[19] Art World News,[20] International Artist,[21] Classical Realism Journal,[22] AskMen,[23] MercatorNet,[24] The Encyclopedia Tematica del Peru,[25] and Italian American magazine Primo.[26]
Awards and honors edit
Awards and honors include:
- The Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2022)
- Honorary Doctor of Letters by Cumberland University (2019)[27]
- George Washington's Mount Vernon Presidential Coin Award (2018)
- Knighted Chevalier of the Order of St. Anne (2017)
- Official Recognition ‘Resolution No.69’ by the Tennessee Senate, signed by the Tennessee Governor (2015)[28]
- Elected Hon. Academician – The Russian Academy of Arts (2012)[29]
- Awarded title Honored Artist of Udmurtia (2012)
- The General David H. Petraeus Award ‘For Excellence’, presented by Gen. David H. Petraeus (2009)
- Official Bronze Medal of the Pontificate of Pope John Paul II, Vatican (2003)
- Official Major League Baseball Award for Portraiture, presented at Yankee Stadium, New York City, Joe DiMaggio Awards (2011)
- Honored with the title ‘Living Master’ by the Art Renewal Center (2002)[1]
- Grand Prize Winner – American Society of Portrait Artists Competition (1994)
- Award ‘For Outstanding Achievement in Portrait Painting’ – National Portrait Seminar and American Artist Magazine (1993)
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "ARC Living Master - American 21st Century Realist artist". Art Renewal Center.
- ^ "Igor Babailov and the Art of the Portrait: Session with the Master". James Wilson Institute.
- ^ "Annie Watt Photography".
- ^ "Master Artist Babailov presents painting to Pope Francis in D.C." Catholic News Herald.
- ^ a b c "Painter of the Popes". National Catholic Register.
- ^ Hon. Joseph P. Sullivan Archived 2010-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "HERO WORSHIP". The Brooklyn Paper.
- ^ "The House of Commons Heritage Collection". Archived from the original on 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ "Social Diary 3/28/05 - Murders, Birthdays, Car Shows, Easter". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ "Michael Novak Portrait Unveiling - November 8, 2009". YouTube.
- ^ "Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard - official portrait study". YouTube Video.
- ^ "Regis Philbin Unveils His Portrait by Igor Babailov". YouTube Video.
- ^ a b "Igor Babailov, Biography".
- ^ "Art Renewal Center® Leading the Revival of Realism in the Fine Arts". Art Renewal Center. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ "All American Speakers Bureau Igor Babailov".
- ^ "Brian Mulroney's portrait unveiled". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
- ^ "ZENIT.org Website".
- ^ Live with Regis and Kelly Segment 1 - 06/11/03
- ^ The Artist's Magazine(May 1998, April 1999)
- ^ Art World News July 2007, Volume XII Issue 7
- ^ International Artist Volume 2 No. 11 Feb/March 2000
- ^ Classical Realism Journal, Volume IV, Issue 1
- ^ Ross Bonander. "Portrait artists - AskMen". AskMen.
- ^ "Enough of 'art for art's sake'. Let's have some art for the sake of humanity, truth and goodness".
- ^ Encyclopedia Tematica del Peru, p.16, Empresa Editora Il Comercio,S.A (2004)
- ^ Primo Magazine September/October 2001
- ^ "Cumberland Commends Master Portrait Painter Igor Babailov with Honorary Doctorate Degree".
- ^ "Senate Joint Resolution No.69" (PDF).
- ^ "Russian Academy of Arts Foreign Honorary Members".
External links edit
- Official website
- The New York Daily News – Video
- The World of Igor Babailov by V. Zakharov, 2001
- White House Christmas Ornaments
- The Tennessean
- Streilein Foundation, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
- The Post and Courier\
- Michael Novak’s portrait unveiling (YouTube)
- Flipkart.com
- Amazon.com
- Igor Babailov Biography
- The Ford Book
- AskArt