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]

Igor Babailov, American portrait and figurative artist
For Gold God and Glory.
For Gold, God, and Glory, Oil on Canvas, 70" x 72", by Igor Babailov.

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

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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

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Awards and honors include:

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ARC Living Master - American 21st Century Realist artist". Art Renewal Center.
  2. ^ "Igor Babailov and the Art of the Portrait: Session with the Master". James Wilson Institute.
  3. ^ "Annie Watt Photography".
  4. ^ "Master Artist Babailov presents painting to Pope Francis in D.C." Catholic News Herald. 24 September 2015.
  5. ^ a b c "Painter of the Popes". National Catholic Register. 28 October 2014.
  6. ^ Hon. Joseph P. Sullivan Archived 2010-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "HERO WORSHIP". The Brooklyn Paper. 5 August 2008.
  8. ^ "The House of Commons Heritage Collection". Archived from the original on 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  9. ^ "Social Diary 3/28/05 - Murders, Birthdays, Car Shows, Easter". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  10. ^ "Michael Novak Portrait Unveiling - November 8, 2009". YouTube. 11 November 2009.
  11. ^ "Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard - official portrait study". YouTube Video. 28 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Regis Philbin Unveils His Portrait by Igor Babailov". YouTube Video. 19 October 2011.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "All American Speakers Bureau Igor Babailov".
  15. ^ "Brian Mulroney's portrait unveiled". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.
  16. ^ "ZENIT.org Website".
  17. ^ Live with Regis and Kelly Segment 1 - 06/11/03
  18. ^ The Artist's Magazine(May 1998, April 1999)
  19. ^ Art World News July 2007, Volume XII Issue 7
  20. ^ International Artist Volume 2 No. 11 Feb/March 2000
  21. ^ Classical Realism Journal, Volume IV, Issue 1
  22. ^ Ross Bonander. "Portrait artists - AskMen". AskMen.
  23. ^ "Enough of 'art for art's sake'. Let's have some art for the sake of humanity, truth and goodness". Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  24. ^ Encyclopedia Tematica del Peru, p.16, Empresa Editora Il Comercio,S.A (2004)
  25. ^ Primo Magazine September/October 2001
  26. ^ "Cumberland Commends Master Portrait Painter Igor Babailov with Honorary Doctorate Degree". 31 May 2019.
  27. ^ "Senate Joint Resolution No.69" (PDF).
  28. ^ "Russian Academy of Arts Foreign Honorary Members".
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