One of the most popular and unusual photo artists of old Vladikavkaz was Alexander Dzhanaev-Khetagurov. To the residents of the city in the late 19th to early 20th century, he was known as Sadulla.
Sadulla was the sole Ossetian photographer of his time. Unlike many of his colleagues, he took photos outside the walls of his studio. Therefore, Dzhanaev-Khetagurov became famous for his photos of Caucasian landscapes. He started producing postcards with views of Vladikavkaz and the Caucasus mountains, which were in great demand.
Sadulla’s workshop was located in the right-most wing of the merchant Bogdan Oganov’s mansion, which is currently utilized by the Republican Art Museum. It was there that Dzhanaev’s assistant Semyon Azaniev took one of the most famous photos of Kosta Khetagurov. In it, the pensive poet was depicted in a burka, a bashlyk, and a gray chokha. This photo was later published as a postcard by the Ossetian Mutual Aid Society in Manchuria, and they were available for purchase in “Ir” stores.
In 1888, Dzhanaev-Khetagurov created another famous photo portrait of Kosta. In it, the poet appeared in a European suit and a soft dark hat instead of the traditional Caucasian papakha.
Sadulla and Kosta were close friends for many years. The poet trusted Dzhanaev-Khetagurov so much that at the end of 1902, he issued him the power of attorney to manage his estate.
Sadullah’s heirs have preserved a photograph from 1901-1902, which is on display in the exhibit. It shows Kosta and Sadulla surrounded by their relatives and the latter’s employees. The poet in the bright folk attire is sitting in his favorite spot, on the far left. It’s visible how much Kosta has aged since his first photo portraits; his beard and mustache are touched with gray, and there is fatigue in his eyes. Next to Khetagurov sits Sadulla’s wife, Maria Gavrilovna (née Azaniyeva). And between them stands Alexander Kuzmich himself, dressed in an elegant suit. Dzhanaevs’ little son Kolya is sitting on the bottom row, dressed in chokha.
This was the last photo of Kosta, taken in Dzhanaev-Khetagurov’s studio. A few years later, the poet was gone. And in 1918, Sadullah died of tuberculosis. For the last years of his life, he was seriously ill, and all the care of the family and photos fell on the shoulders of Maria Gavrilovna.
Sadulla was the sole Ossetian photographer of his time. Unlike many of his colleagues, he took photos outside the walls of his studio. Therefore, Dzhanaev-Khetagurov became famous for his photos of Caucasian landscapes. He started producing postcards with views of Vladikavkaz and the Caucasus mountains, which were in great demand.
Sadulla’s workshop was located in the right-most wing of the merchant Bogdan Oganov’s mansion, which is currently utilized by the Republican Art Museum. It was there that Dzhanaev’s assistant Semyon Azaniev took one of the most famous photos of Kosta Khetagurov. In it, the pensive poet was depicted in a burka, a bashlyk, and a gray chokha. This photo was later published as a postcard by the Ossetian Mutual Aid Society in Manchuria, and they were available for purchase in “Ir” stores.
In 1888, Dzhanaev-Khetagurov created another famous photo portrait of Kosta. In it, the poet appeared in a European suit and a soft dark hat instead of the traditional Caucasian papakha.
Sadulla and Kosta were close friends for many years. The poet trusted Dzhanaev-Khetagurov so much that at the end of 1902, he issued him the power of attorney to manage his estate.
Sadullah’s heirs have preserved a photograph from 1901-1902, which is on display in the exhibit. It shows Kosta and Sadulla surrounded by their relatives and the latter’s employees. The poet in the bright folk attire is sitting in his favorite spot, on the far left. It’s visible how much Kosta has aged since his first photo portraits; his beard and mustache are touched with gray, and there is fatigue in his eyes. Next to Khetagurov sits Sadulla’s wife, Maria Gavrilovna (née Azaniyeva). And between them stands Alexander Kuzmich himself, dressed in an elegant suit. Dzhanaevs’ little son Kolya is sitting on the bottom row, dressed in chokha.
This was the last photo of Kosta, taken in Dzhanaev-Khetagurov’s studio. A few years later, the poet was gone. And in 1918, Sadullah died of tuberculosis. For the last years of his life, he was seriously ill, and all the care of the family and photos fell on the shoulders of Maria Gavrilovna.
