INFLUENCE OF SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT ON FORMATION OF IMAGE OF LEADER IN FINE ART OF MEDIEVAL AZERBAIJAN

This study explores the evolution of the visual representation of leaders in Azerbaijani art, highlighting how these depictions reflect broader socio-political and cultural transformations. The research begins by examining the ancient and early medieval periods, where leader portrayals were heavily influenced by hierarchical structures and sacred traditions, symbolizing divine authority and protection. Over time, as local ethno-cultural characteristics began to play a more prominent role, the image of the ideal leader acquired more realistic features, incorporating elements from various artistic traditions, including Hellenistic and Turkic influences. The analysis then shifts to the early and mature Middle Ages, focusing on the syncretism of artistic traditions during the feudal period, where visual representations of leaders became increasingly complex, influenced by diverse religious and cultural elements. This period saw the synthesis of Turkic visual culture with Mesopotamian and Sasanian artistic codes, resulting in unique artifacts that combined these influences. Finally, the study examines the Safavid era, where the art of miniature painting reached its zenith. During this period, the portrayal of political leaders became more personalized, reflecting the Safavid state's ideology and the monarch's intellectual, military, and cultural roles.