Museum Building

The Azerbaijan National Museum of Art (ANMA) is a priceless repository of cultural heritage. It houses a collection of national and international artistic treasures created from ancient times to the present day. The museum preserves and shares these invaluable cultural gems from one generation to the next.

The rich history of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art (ANMA) traces back to 1920, when the Azerbaijan State Museum, also known as Azgosmuseum, was founded, including a distinguished fine arts department, situated in the former mansion of Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. Over time, comprehensive collections were curated, spanning various fields of humanities and natural sciences. By the mid-1930s, the Azgosmuseum's departments had expanded significantly, leading to the establishment of the independent Azerbaijan State Museum of Art in 1936, stemming from the Fine Arts Department.

The Azgosmuseum was transformed into the Museum of the History of Azerbaijan after it was disbanded, and it still operates in the same famous mansion as it did a century ago. The Azerbaijan State Museum of Art, whose first exhibition was unveiled in 1937, was also originally housed there. However, in 1939, the building underwent a renovation to accommodate the Nizami Ganjavi Memorial Museum, which later became the Nizami Ganjavi Museum of Azerbaijani Literature. The Azerbaijan State Museum of Art was then relocated to the upper, fifth floor of the same building. In the following decade, it moved again and took over several small historical mansions, where expositions and temporary exhibitions were organized.

The Azerbaijan State Museum of Art has been proudly situated at its present location since 1951, within the elegant de Boer Mansion. This historical masterpiece was constructed between 1891 and 1895 by architect Nikolai von der Nonne and civil engineer Anton Kandinov, on the initiative of Lev Martynovich de Boer, a prominent merchant and oil producer, and the founder of the “Caspian Partnership” oil enterprise.

De Boer passed away in the prime of his life in 1889, before his home was completed. Two years later, his heirs sold the land with the foundation already in place to the “Caspian Partnership”, a company established in 1886. The new building contained both residential flats and the company's office, resulting in two front entrances – one for business and the other for private use. Inside, the decor featured classical motifs, Venetian mirrors, and semicircular arches. At the time, Sadovaya Street (now Niyazi Street) had not undergone complete renovation, and this grand building influenced its appearance and set the standard for future construction.

After the October coup in Russia, power in Baku began to shift. On June 31, 1918, with the active involvement of the British Consul, control of the city passed to the Dashnak-formed government of the ‘Dictatorship of the Central Caspian Sea', with the British command headquarters located in the De Boer's Mansion. When the Soviet government of Azerbaijan, led by Nariman Narimanov, took power in 1921, the Council of People's Commissars was situated in the De Boer's Mansion. Nariman Narimanov's family resided on the first floor of the mansion. From 1933 to the early 1950s, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Azerbaijan, Mir Jafar Bagirov, and his family resided in this house.

Next to the De Boer's mansion stands the former Baku Mariinsky Women’s Gymnasium, which was built a few years earlier. The idea to establish a modern educational institution for girls in the city was first proposed by the then governor of Baku, Dmitry Staroselsky. The women's gymnasium, founded in 1874 and renamed the Mariinsky Gymnasium in 1883, was originally based on the older St. Nina's School.

A few years after its founding, it became evident that a separate building was necessary. This idea was initiated by Mayor Despot-Zenovich and the Gymnasium's Board of Trustees. The building's design was the brainchild of civil engineer Mikhail Denisovich Botov, who was serving as the works overseer at the provincial board. Following Botov's passing in 1886, the construction was managed by the architect von der Nonne, who was also responsible for the construction of the neighboring building.

Since the city administration lacked the necessary funds, the financing was taken over by V.N. Girsh, a Moscow nobleman and building contractor who traveled to Baku and whose firm was engaged in paving the city streets.

The gymnasium was named Mariinskaya, as it was part of the network of Mariinskaya gymnasiums throughout the Russian Empire. The solemn laying of the building took place on 22 July 1885, on the day of the namesake of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Maria Fyodorovna, the trustee of such institutions. A metal plaque with a commemorative inscription was inserted into one of the foundation stones.

In 1887, the Mariinsky Women's Gymnasium relocated to a new facility built at the cost of Azerbaijani oil millionaires, the lion’s share of contributions of which belonged to Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. By the end of the century more than half a thousand girls studied there.

During the Soviet era, the building of the former Mariinsky Gymnasium housed the Baku City Committee of the Communist Party and the City Committee of Komsomol. In 1992, the building was transferred to the Museum of Art in order to expand its territory.

From 1943 to 2011, the museum was named after the famous Azerbaijani artist Rustam Mustafayev.

The museum is located in two ancient architectural buildings with unique solutions. In 2013, these two buildings were connected by a transition building in an avant-garde style, featuring predominantly glass and metal. This new central building of the museum is where contemporary art exhibitions are held.

By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 94 dated 10 June 2011, the State Art Museum was granted the status of a national museum.