Few people are appreciated in their own lifetime. In all stages of history thinkers have either been seen as mad or suffered especially cruel deaths. Examples are Jesus's crucifixion, the stoning of Muhammad, the flaying of Nasimi and the burning at the stake of those seen as heretics during the Inquisition in medieval Europe. There's a saying: "You can't see the height of a mountain when you stand at the bottom, but when you move away from it you realize its height."

Thank God, this was not the case with Togrul Narimanbekov. He was born in 1930 in Baku. He graduated from Azerbaijan's Azim Azimzade Art College and in 1955 from Lithuania's Art Institute.  The artist gained great popularity during his lifetime and was respected by the state. Alongside Mikayil Abdullayev and Tahir Salahov, he was one of the three best Azerbaijani artists to receive the honorary title People's Artist of the USSR.

Historically, artists become famous either for their unique style or their outstanding character in the world of art.

Togrul Narimanbekov's decorative and festive works are built on colourful rhythm, inspired by the national traditions of Azerbaijan. His paintings can be described as a fairy tale that draws you to a faraway wonderland.

His complex paintings, which include many small colourful elements, have an attractive mystery. It is difficult to turn away from them without examining every detail.

Whenever he picked up his brush, the artist saturated his pictures with energy and colour, creating a vivid, happy paradise.

Narimanbekov often worked within the realm of folklore. His works are very valuable, since they are a unique mixture of east and west.

One of the artist's biggest achievements is his contribution to the creation of Azerbaijani classical painting, helping the country to define its cultural identity and originality.

Togrul Narimanbekov's artistic language is so varied, colourful and rich that it is difficult to confine it within a specific style. He described his work as a combination of abstract and figurative art. He created thematic paintings, portraits, landscapes, still-lifes, drawings, murals, stage sets, etc.  

Narimanbekov lived abroad for a long time - in America, Luxemburg and France, but he always depicted Azerbaijan in his work. In his still-life paintings everything is expressive and large-scale: huge pomegranates, pumpkins, melons and watermelons. He did not allow himself to show abundance in miniature.

Azerbaijan's rich natural beauty is described in works such as 'Dawn over the Caspian Sea', 'Stronger than the Storm' and 'Song of the Mountains'.

Talking of such valuable paintings as 'In the Cafe', 'Harvest Holiday' and 'Tea-House in the Orchard', fellow artist Sattar Bahlulzade said: "Togrul's works resemble a richly laden table. It has every natural blessing and they all grow in Azerbaijan! Togrul's works smell of our land."

Togrul Narimanbekov once confessed on TV: "I adore mugham, but I can't sing mugham. Listening to mugham makes me cry." He put all these feelings into his works 'Mugham' and 'Musicians'.

As well as his great artistic talent, Narimanbekov had a dramatic tenor voice. He adored music and took a serious interest in it. In one of his interviews he said: "As soon as I was conscious of self, I loved music. I'm fond of singing. Even sometimes, I work and sing at the same time. And I think if I were not an artist I would be a singer..."

In fact, from 1995, Togrul Narimanbekov was also a professional singer. He gave a successful concert in 1996 in the Baku Chamber Music Hall, accompanied by the Gara Garayev Azerbaijan State Chamber Orchestra. Heydar Aliyev, National Leader of Azerbaijan, did Togrul Narimanbekov the honour of attending another of his concerts in 1998, and met him afterwards. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev maintained the National Leader's tradition, signing a Decree dated June 22, 2010, "On Togrul Narimanbekov's 80th birthday". It is an obvious example of the respect and attention paid to the great artist.

Togrul Narimanbekov was awarded the Order of Independence (Istiqlal) in 2000 and the Order of Honour of Azerbaijan in 2010.

Narimanbekov lived a rich, creative life, full of experiences, and managed to keep the utmost clarity of perception. He remained committed to his own principles of internal freedom, objectivity and independent thought.

The eminent artist died in 2013 at the age of 83, leaving an astounding legacy in contemporary art.