Aydin Aghdashloo (Father: Mohammad-Beik Aghdashloo; Mother: Nahid Nakhjevan; Children: Takin and Tara) Born : October 30, 1940 (Rasht, Iran)
Aydin Aghdashloo (born 1940) is a towering figure in Iranian modern and contemporary art, recognized globally for his masterful technique and profound conceptual depth. Born in the northern city of Rasht to parents of Caucasian-Azerbaijani descent, his early artistic inclinations were nurtured by local painters before he moved to Tehran to further his education and career.
Aghdashloo is best known for his meticulous, classically-inspired paintings that explore themes of impermanence, the destruction of beauty, and the inevitable passage of time. His most celebrated works, particularly the Memories of Destruction series, involve flawlessly recreating masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance (such as works by Botticelli) or delicate Persian miniatures, only to deliberately depict them as crumpled, torn, burned, or defaced. This “ironic subversion” serves as a poignant visual commentary on the vulnerability of human culture, historical turmoil, and the loss of enlightenment.
Prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Aghdashloo was a central architect of Iran’s modern cultural landscape. Serving as a cultural advisor, he played an instrumental role in acquiring artworks and establishing major cultural institutions, including the Reza Abbasi Museum and the Kerman San’ati Museum of Contemporary Art. After the revolution, he was removed from his official posts but chose to remain in Iran. He established a highly influential private art academy, providing a vital lifeline for the visual arts by mentoring thousands of students and cultivating a new generation of Iranian contemporary artists.
Beyond the canvas, Aghdashloo is a prolific polymath. He is a respected art historian, antique restorer, and film critic, having authored over a dozen books and numerous articles. In recognition of his monumental contributions to global art and culture, the French government awarded him the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2016. Today, his work remains highly sought after at international auctions, and he continues to be celebrated as a living cultural heritage of Iran.
Active in others filds : Art Criticism, Art History & Curation, Teaching/Mentorship, Film Criticism, Antique Restoration, Graphic Design.
