The museum of Ali Akbar Sanati in Tehran where the master’s many sculptures are kept is to reopen after several years in late March.
The museum, located at Imam Khomeini Square and managed by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), has been renovated by the society and Tehran Beautification Organization (TBO), ISNA reported.
It was closed nine years ago due to the dilapidated condition of the building that left a part of the works in the museum damaged and some on the verge of destruction.
Although the renovation process took long, TBO director-general Isa Alizadeh announced that the museum will open to the public at the beginning of Nowroz, the Persian New Year (starts March 20).
The museum houses busts and statues of world famous figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, great Iranian kings Shah Abbas and Nader Shah Afshar, poet Mohammad Taqi Bahar, linguist Ali Akbar Dehkhoda and the classic poet Ferdowsi. In addition to prominent figures, many of his statues are about poor people or prisoners.
“The works mainly include frescoes and statues made of plaster. The plaster sculptures have worn out over time and if not preserved properly may result in irreparable damage. They may seem alright in appearance, but as their inner part is mostly empty, they face the risk of great damage,” said cultural deputy at the TBO Mojtaba Musavi. Necessary measures will be taken to preserve the master’s artworks.
Born in Kerman, Sanati (1916-2006), had a master’s degree in painting. He has about 2,000 paintings and 400 sculptures to his credit. He set up the museum at Imam Khomeini Square in 1946. Later, he took several of his works to the museum he founded in hometown Kerman in 1977.
During the US-backed military coup to topple the nationalist government of Mohammad Mossadeq, prime minister in 1953, Sanati’s museum was ransacked by rioters and some of the sculptures were destroyed. It took two years for him to repair the museum and the sculptures.
Honored for Services
He was awarded an honorary degree in art by the government for his 60 years of dedicated service in the late 1990s.
What is seen and understood from his artworks is his relationship with the people of his time.
He always felt deeply for the life of the orphans and poor people and tried to show it in his artworks. He also gave attention to famous personalities for their philanthropic contributions.
