Azerbaijan State Museum of Art, Baku

The Azerbaijan National Museum of Art, located in Baku, is the country's largest art museum and serves as a cornerstone of Azerbaijani cultural heritage. Established in 1936 and named after Rustam Mustafayev, a distinguished Azerbaijani scenic designer and theater artist, the museum provides a profound insight into both local and international artistry.

Housed in two adjacent 19th-century buildings, the museum showcases a vast collection of over 15,000 artworks. These are displayed across 60 rooms, with over 3,000 items permanently exhibited, while around 12,000 pieces are stored, and rotated through temporary displays to allow a broader public viewing.

The museum's architectural presence is notable; it resides within the historically significant De Bour mansion, a baroque-style structure completed at the close of the 19th century. The building's design, characterized by classical elements such as porticoes and loggias, reflects the grandeur and artistic tastes of the era. This design not only emphasizes the museum's physical prominence but also harmonizes beautifully with its scenic seaside surroundings.

Inside, the museum's first building primarily features European and Russian art, with rooms dedicated to masterpieces from Italy, France, the Netherlands, Flanders, Germany, and Poland. Renowned artists such as Guercino, Leandro Bassano, Frans Hals, and Johann Heinrich Roos are highlighted in these collections.

The second building, constructed in 1885, focuses on Eastern art, offering an extensive array of works from Persian, Turkish, Chinese, and Japanese origins. Additionally, it houses significant Russian artworks, including pieces by illustrious painters like Karl Briullov and Ivan Shishkin. The collection also includes Russian avant-garde artworks, book and easel miniatures from the 17th to the 19th century, and unique cultural artifacts like lacquered miniatures and sherbet spoons crafted from mulberry trees.

The Azerbaijan National Museum of Art remains a key cultural landmark in Baku, celebrated for both its historical significance and its expansive art collections.