Two Russian artist-emigrant

Abstract

In our study, we have analysed the lives and works of Naci Kalmikoglu (1896/98-1951) and Ibrahim Safi (1898-1983), who are among the many Russian artists who left their country at the beginning of the 20th century and settled in other countries. The two artists, who chose Turkey as their second homeland and were seen as Russian emigrants, left deep traces on history of Turkish painting. The artists, who had to immigrate to Turkey, took their first educations in art in Russia. N. Kalmikoglu completed his education in Kharkov Academy of Fine Arts. I. Safi graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul as he had to quit his education in Moscow Academy of Fine Arts because of the revolution. He met N. Kalmikoglu here and they started to work together. The two artists, who had strong brush strokes thanks to their classical academical education that they were used to, quickly stepped forward, taking into account the current demand for foreign painting in Turkey. Realism dominated on both of the painter's works. Traces of impressionism and orientalism in their works gave inspiration to other Turkish painters. The works of the artists, who had great contributions to Turkish cultural and artistic life are now in institutional and special collections.