Constructed in 1895 as a barracks for the Russian Empire's soldiers, this historical building has been utilized as an Art Gallery since 1982. The structure is a state-protected architectural monument, built from river stones and baked bricks in the local architectural style. It is a single-story building consisting of four halls and four rooms, surrounded by the city walls on the west and south sides.
Restoration: In 2022, the gallery was restored by the State Tourism Agency, preserving its historical and architectural values.
Collections: The gallery’s collection includes 254 exhibits, of which 69 are currently on display, while 185 are stored in the gallery's archive. Among the displayed exhibits, 61 are paintings (including 25 graphics, 31 watercolors, and 5 decorative-applied art pieces), and 8 are sculptures.
Exhibitions: The gallery features works by renowned Azerbaijani artists at both national and Sheki levels. The exhibitions are curated to help visitors deeply understand the history of Azerbaijani art, its thematic and stylistic directions, and its various developmental stages.
Since its inception, the gallery has hosted a variety of colorful exhibitions, including individual shows by numerous artists and emerging talents. Individual exhibitions, particularly by young artists, often originate from the Academy of Fine Arts.
In addition to regular exhibitions, the gallery also hosts sales exhibitions for local artists.
Exhibition Halls:
First Hall: Features artworks from the 1950s to 1970s dedicated to the memories of World War II, historical and traditional occupations, and cultural heritage.
Second Hall: Showcases works from the 1960s to 1980s focused on Azerbaijani national sports, craftsmanship, and everyday life.
Third Hall: Displays art reflecting various genres and styles of Azerbaijani art.
Preservation: A specialized system maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels is installed to preserve the artworks.
Notable Works:
First Hall: “Maral Rahmanzade” – A painting depicting a woman in a traditional kerchief.
Second Hall: “In Zangezur” – A piece illustrating a herd moving to the summer pastures.
Second Hall: “Qaragol” – A depiction of the lake situated on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Third Hall: Central wall features significant works by prominent Azerbaijani artists such as Altay Sadigzade’s “Sahil,” Sakit Mammadov’s “Eastern Motifs,” and Elbey Rzaquliyev’s “Red Horsemen.”
The Sheki State Art Gallery was included in the list of institutions under the State Tourism Agency on August 16, 2019.
