The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum continues to thrill art lovers with unique exhibits. This time, the museum showcased  colorful carpets woven on the basis of art works by People's Artist of Azerbaijan Tahir Salakhov.

Tahir Salakhov, one of the most prominent representatives of the Azerbaijani art, is the vice-president and honorary president of the International Association of Plastic Arts of UNESCO, the vice-president of the Russian Academy of Arts, People's Artist of the USSR, Azerbaijan and Russia, and the winner of a number of high awards, including the State Prize of the USSR and Azerbaijan.

The world-renowned artist, who sensitively catches the rhythms of life and is able to listen and hear the time, Salakhov is the master of portraits, landscape pictures, still-life paintings and large many-figured paintings.

Let's take a closer look at the portrait carpet depicting​ Azerbaijani poet Mirza Alakbar Sabir. The portrait, characterized by a deep psychological character, realism, and high artistic and emotional language, represents a poet who is in deep thought about the fate of his people.

The ornamental border surrounding the portrait carpet is designed in accordance with the color scheme of the central field and severe realism style. The border is adorned with ulduzlu zanjir (star chain) patterns created by a combination of rhombuses and stars.

The Carpet Museum also displays portrait of the Russian composer Dmitriy Shostakovich.

The portrayal of the world-famous composer in deep thoughts as well as his rich and sensitive inner world are full of creative energy. The central field and the border are in harmonious combination. The portrait is surrounded by kufi main border, often used in Guba-Shirvan carpets, and decorated with almagulu and mollabashi stripes.

"The Maiden Tower" carpet is another part of​ the Land of Fire triptych. The carpet sketch author is the artist Elyar Guliyev.​

Maiden Tower has a monumental appearance in Tahir Salahov`s unique style.​ The flame tounges rising above the tower​ play a significant role in the color scheme of the composition. The main border's color scheme and patterns are in harmony with the central field.​ The Maiden Tower is surrounded by motifs symbolizing seagulls in flight and anchors.

"Dede Korkut" carpet has been woven at the initiative of​ People’s Artist​ Eldar Mikayilzade.The color scheme of the portrait enabled to transfer it to the carpet and to add a national flavor with the help of classical ornaments.​

The portrait of a wise elder man stands out by its spiritual and monumental nature.

The bottom part of the portrait is decorated with the elongated medallion called ketebe. Islimi, bulud, yarpag, and Shah Abbasi ornaments adorn​ the border​ surrounding the central field. The elegant cypresses,​ symbols of honesty and​ inflexibility​ appear​ rhythmically​ among the patterns.