The Splendour of Azerbaijani Carpets: Learning Through Art

Curated by embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azerkhalcha OJSC, the exhibition presents a carefully selected collection that reveals the layered richness of Azerbaijan’s carpet art. In collaboration with leading Azerbaijani and international artists, The Splendour of Azerbaijani Carpets: Learning Through Art connects past and present through craft, form, colour, and symbol.

Among the featured works are interpretations of classic Karabakh Gasimushaghi and Chalabi carpets, the exclusive 3D-textured series Fruits in the Garden, inspired by the paintings of Samira Allahverdiyeva, and world-renowned designer Jan Kath, listed among Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Designers of 2024.

The exhibition will also include a cultural program featuring a public lecture on the symbolism and contemporary relevance of Azerbaijani carpet weaving and a hands-on master class where participants can explore knotting techniques and try their hand at weaving patterns at the Royal Academy of Art The Hague.

The exhibition positions the Azerbaijani carpet not merely as a decorative object, but as a cultural phenomenon—a thread of time that links generations and reflects a society in motion.

The Splendour of Azerbaijani Carpets: Learning Through Art invites visitors into a dialogue about heritage, transmission, and transformation in a global cultural context.

UNESCO Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage
In recognition of their historical and cultural significance, Azerbaijani carpets were proclaimed a Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage by UNESCO in 2010. They are preserved in renowned museums across the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, UK, The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, The Berlin Museum of Islamic Art, Germany and many others.

Inspiration Dutch artists
Upon their arrival in Europe, Azerbaijani carpets captivated audiences, quickly becoming an essential feature not only in royal palaces but also in ceremonial art. They also served as a source of inspiration for renowned Dutch artists such as Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling. The influence of these carpets can be seen in several iconic works, including Jan van Eyck’s Madonna with Canon van der Paele (1436), Groeningemuseum, Bruges, Belgium; Hans Memling’s Still Life with a Jug and Flowers (1485), and Portrait of a Young Man Praying (recto), Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain; Virgin of Jacob Floreins (c. 1485), Louvre Museum, Paris, Germany; and Small Triptych of St. John the Baptist (1485–1490), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria.

The embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan invites everyone to explore the rich cultural heritage and artistic mastery of Azerbaijani carpet weaving at this distinguished exhibition in the Atrium City Hall in The Hague.