In 1982, the specialization “Art Studies” was established for the first time at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts.
This marked the beginning of the training of highly qualified art historians and art critics. Owing to the scientific activities of the newly established department, a solid scientific and methodological foundation for art studies was formed at ASUCA, while its teaching potential, pedagogical approaches, and methodological features were further developed and strengthened.
When the Department of History and Theory of Fine Arts was established in 1982, its leadership was entrusted to the late art historian Professor Mammadaga Tarlanov, who served in this position until the end of his life in 1988. The preparation of the first curricula related to the specialization also dates back to this period. Following Mammadaga Tarlanov, the department was headed by prominent Azerbaijani art historians who made invaluable contributions to the training of highly qualified specialists in this field. Among them were Jamila Novruzova (1988–1990), Leyla Akhundzade (1990–2000), Khazar Zeynalov (2000), Nuraddin Habibov (2000–2001), Khazar Zeynalov (2007–2008), Sevil Sadikhova (2008–2012), Sayyad Bayramov (2012–2014), Bayram Hajizada (2014–2016), Mehriban Novruzova (2016–2019), and Aslan Khalilov (2019–present).
In 2001, following the establishment of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts, several specializations of the Faculty of Fine Arts at ASUCA were transferred to the Academy, and the activities of the Department of History and Theory of Fine Arts were suspended. In 2007, an order was issued to reopen the department at ASUCA.
Since its establishment, the department has employed prominent Azerbaijani art historians and scholars. Among them are Mammadaga Tarlanov, Karim Karimov, Nuraddin Habibov, Jamila Novruzova, Jamila Hasanzade, Roya Tagiyeva, Kubra Aliyeva, Ziyadkhan Aliyev, Telman Ibrahimov, Artegin Salamzade, Leyla Akhundzade, Sevil Sadikhova, and others.
The academic staff of the department actively participate in national and international conferences, symposiums, biennales, exhibitions, and other events, successfully representing the university in the international cultural arena.
At the Department of History and Theory of Fine Arts, two specializations within the Art Studies program are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels:
- History and Theory of Fine Arts
- Restoration and Expertise of Works of Art.
Academic Staff:
- Aslan Khalilov – Head of the Department of History and Theory of Fine Arts, PhD
- in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Malahat Farajova – Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor
- Telman Ibrahimov – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Afat Aslanova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Sevil Karimova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Farida Mir-Baghirzade – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Khanim Asgarova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Gunay Narimanova – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Sayali Guliyeva – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Gunel Seyidahmadli – PhD in Art Studies, Associate Professor
- Nargiz Abbasova – PhD in Art Studies, Senior Lecturer
- Ramil Afiq oglu Guliyev – PhD in Art Studies
- Galib Gasimov – PhD in Art Studies
- Elnara Pashayeva – Senior Lecturer
- Nargiz Rzayeva – Lecturer
- Rafiqa Guliyeva – Lecturer
- Mahbara Abbasova – Lecturer
- Dilara Muzaffarli – Lecturer
Courses Offered:
Undergraduate Level:
- Introduction to the Specialization
- History of World Art (Ancient World Art)
- History of World Art (Byzantine and Medieval Western European Art)
- History of World Art (Renaissance European Art)
- History of World Art (17th–18th Century Western European Art)
- History of World Art (19th Century Western European Art)
- History of World Art (20th Century Western European and American Art)
- History of World Art (Contemporary Art)
- History of World Art (11th–18th Century Russian Art)
- History of World Art (19th Century Russian Art)
- History of World Art (20th Century Russian Art)
- History of World Art (Art of India, the Far East, and South Asia)
- Art of Islamic Countries and Central Asia
- History of Fine Arts of Foreign Countries – 1
- History of Fine Arts of Foreign Countries – 2
- Azerbaijani Art (Primitive and Ancient Azerbaijani Art)
- Azerbaijani Art (Medieval and 18th Century Azerbaijani Art)
- Azerbaijani Art (19th Century Azerbaijani Art)
- Azerbaijani Art (20th Century Azerbaijani Art)
- Azerbaijani Art (Contemporary Azerbaijani Art)
- History of Azerbaijani Art (Ancient Periods – 19th Century)
- History of Azerbaijani Fine Arts of the 20th–21st Centuries
- History of Azerbaijani Fine Arts – 1
- History of Azerbaijani Fine Arts – 2
- Analysis of Works of Art – 1
- Analysis of Works of Art – 2
- History of Fine Arts – 1
- History of Fine Arts – 2
- History of Visual Arts – 1
- History of Visual Arts – 2
- History of Fine Arts
- History of Visual Arts
- Visual Arts
- History of Russian Fine Arts
- History of Miniature Art
- History of Decorative and Applied Arts
- History of Ornament
- History of Everyday Life and Costume
- History of Urban Planning in Azerbaijan
- Introduction to Architecture
- Synthesis of Architecture and Fine Arts
- Iconography
- Artistic Styles (by fields)
- Organization of Exhibitions and Auctions
- Folk Crafts
- Internship Practice
Graduate Level:
- History of the Development of Azerbaijani Art Studies
- Theory of Fine Arts
- History and Methodology of Fine Arts
- Methodology of Criticism in Fine Arts
- Interdisciplinary Research of Works of Fine Art
- Methods of Evaluation of Works of Fine Art
- Contemporary Issues in Fine Arts
- Contemporary Development Trends in Visual Arts
- History of Eastern Miniature Art
- Art of the Peoples of the Caucasus
- Development Features of Turkish Art
- Organization of Auction Activities
- Fundamentals of Gallery and Curatorial Practice
- Expertise of Works of Fine Art
- Attribution, Expertise, Certification, and Evaluation of Works of Art – 1
- Attribution, Expertise, Certification, and Evaluation of Works of Art – 2
- Iconography and Attribution of Restoration Objects
- Methods of Analysis of Architectural Monuments
- Preparation and Defense of Master’s Creative Work
- Research Practice
- Scientific and Pedagogical Practice