A collection of works by Fathollah Obbad

The collection of paintings donated by Professor Fathollah Obbad

Professor Fathollah Obbad- the professor of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Tehran University, has created very exquisite and valuable artistic works and paintings during his artistic life, and all these works and even his house were donated to the University of Tehran by his sister, Mrs. Sharif Obbad, who was a philanthropist teacher.

More than 30 exquisite paintings of this artist were transferred to Tehran University Fine Arts Campus and some of his works were transferred to Negarestan Garden Museum Collection for restoration, preservation and display after a few years. In this regard, the philanthropist of Tehran University, Mrs. Nadere Hajian, professor Fathollah Obbad’s niece, donated her monetary aid to Tehran University in 2018 in order to start the restoration project of art works. After carrying out the restoration project of the works of this valued professor, the permanent exhibition of his works was opened and exposed to the public on 4 March 2019 with the presence of Mrs. Nadere Hajian (Waqef), as well as the President of Tehran University, the Cultural and Social Vice-Chancellor of Tehran University, a group of officials and art lovers.

Biography

Professor Fathollah Obbad was born on 23 September 1901, in Tehran. His father's name was Razi, nicknamed Sanie Homayun, was one of the court craftsmen of one of the last Qajar kings, and he was very skilled in engraving on pencase. From the very beginning of his youth, under the influence of his father's art, Fathollah Obbad was fascinated by art and painting, and his talent led him to attend the lessons of Master Kamal-ol-molk. After some time, he became one of the prominent students of Fine Arts School, so that between 1921 and 1926, at the age of 20 to 25, he started teaching at this school. Professor Obbad left for Europe in 1926 to study, acquire knowledge and cultivate art and stayed in France for nearly 10 years, researching and studying. During this time, he managed to obtain a doctorate degree in the field of art aesthetics. During his stay in France, he made an effort to carefully study the works of painters of different eras of Europe, and with his considerable ability in the art of design, he copied some of the works of different European periods and schools from the Renaissance to the 19th century, especially the works of the Louvre Museum.

Paying attention to the works and paintings left by him shows the ability, recognition of methods and mastery of this artist. Fathollah Obbad returned to Iran at the end of 1936 and became a member of the Department of Antiquities and Museums in the same year, and after his academic qualifications were approved by the Council of Tehran University, he started teaching as an Associate Professor of Archeology at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Higher Education. He was promoted to the 10th grade of assistant professor in 1951 and his years of service at Tehran University continued until 1965 in the field of courses such as history of industry, drawing and designing. Between the years 1956 and 1958, he went to France and Germany again to complete his scientific studies and after returning to Iran, due to the loss of his right regarding the status of a professor, he applied for retirement, which with the agreement of the university, he retired in November 1965 at the age of 62. Professor Fathollah Obbad died on August 9, 1981 after years of fruitful artistic activity.

Artistic style

In general, the works of the deceased Fathollah Obbad can be divided into three categories:

1- Copies of the works of the world's great artists in different periods of art, including Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Tissin, Van Dyck, Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Nicolas Poussin, Jean-Baptiste Grosz, Jean-Francois Millet, Camille Corot and several other painters.

The aim of the painter was not only to create a copy of the original works, but also to pay attention to the way of etching, Tachisme, coloring, finishing and the texture of the colored surfaces of great artists.

2- Creation of works and paintings under the title of Safavid era tile motifs and miniatures, which were related to his study of Islamic art and decorations after Islam until Safavid era in Isfahan.

3- His artistic and personal works, which are the result of the artist's taste, creativity and artistic knowledge, and are artistically executed.

 

Portrait of Fath Allah Obadi

 

'The Milkmaid' after Jean-Baptiste Greuze

 

'Man with a Glove' after Titian

 

'St. Matthew and the Angel' after Rembrandt

 

'Portrait of an Old Man' after Rembrandt