Ilgizar Mayberovich Samakaev

Ilgizar Mayberovich Samakaev (b. November 20, 1954, Kazan, Russia) is a distinguished Russian painter and cultural figure from the Republic of Tatarstan. He graduated with honors from the Kazan Art School in 1974 and continued his education at the Moscow State Art Institute named after V.I. Surikov, studying under the renowned painter D.K. Mochalsky.

Samakaev is a member of the Union of Artists of Russia since 1989 and has served as Chairman of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia in Tatarstan since 2012. He is also an Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, recognized for his contributions to Russian art and culture.

His work is rooted in the traditions of the Russian realist school, yet it often carries subtle influences of French Impressionism. Samakaev’s paintings are known for their rich color palette, spiritual depth, and ability to convey harmony through light and form. He works across various genres, including portraiture, landscape, and thematic compositions. One of his most acclaimed works is a portrait of the legendary actor Yuri Nikulin, personally approved by the subject.

Samakaev has participated in numerous regional, national, and international exhibitions, and his art continues to be celebrated for its emotional resonance and technical mastery.