The painting “Amulet” is a work of the contemporary Dagestani artist Magomed Muradov. It is a highly symbolic work. The artist turned to the theme of sacred signs, which in ancient times were depicted on the walls of homes to protect against misfortune. People believed that signs would prevent evil from penetrating the house and reaching its center — the hearth. Pagan symbols were painted on doorways and windows, thresholds, doors and shutters.
The painting is executed in dark-brown tones. The focal point of the composition is an amulet in the form of a circular labyrinth in yellow and red. The labyrinth symbolizes the world, the universe, incomprehensibility, and movement, and its continuous line means eternity and immortality. The labyrinth also symbolizes the Sun’s circular motion, its sunrise and sunset, spring liberation. The labyrinth as a symbol of the way expresses the idea of a difficult and long human journey to the truth, exploring the “inscrutable ways of God”. Passing through the labyrinth means renewal, transformation, and new birth.
Under the labirinth, Magomed Muradov depicted a brown chirag — a small vessel with a handle on low legs, with light streaming from its spout. As the highlanders see it, it symbolizes light, warmth, kindness, hearth and home. Such a lamp was used in ancient times for moving around at night or performing rituals. The chirag is a metaphor for illuminating a person’s path in the darkness of life’s labyrinth.
Smaller copies of the labyrinth amulets in yellow and red recur along the edges of the canvas. Each of them has its exit turned to one side or the other, which emphasizes the diversity of destinies and life scenarios. Magomed Muradov’s works convey the spirit of national traditions and languages, they are authentic, as they are filled with ethnic patterns and motifs of the Dagestani epic. The artist depicts ancient symbols in his original manner, deciphering the sacred signs of his people.
The painting “Amulet” was created in 2017 and two years later appeared at the Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions at the artist’s personal exhibition “The Bridge between Times”. It was donated by the artist to the museum when the exhibition was over.
The painting is executed in dark-brown tones. The focal point of the composition is an amulet in the form of a circular labyrinth in yellow and red. The labyrinth symbolizes the world, the universe, incomprehensibility, and movement, and its continuous line means eternity and immortality. The labyrinth also symbolizes the Sun’s circular motion, its sunrise and sunset, spring liberation. The labyrinth as a symbol of the way expresses the idea of a difficult and long human journey to the truth, exploring the “inscrutable ways of God”. Passing through the labyrinth means renewal, transformation, and new birth.
Under the labirinth, Magomed Muradov depicted a brown chirag — a small vessel with a handle on low legs, with light streaming from its spout. As the highlanders see it, it symbolizes light, warmth, kindness, hearth and home. Such a lamp was used in ancient times for moving around at night or performing rituals. The chirag is a metaphor for illuminating a person’s path in the darkness of life’s labyrinth.
Smaller copies of the labyrinth amulets in yellow and red recur along the edges of the canvas. Each of them has its exit turned to one side or the other, which emphasizes the diversity of destinies and life scenarios. Magomed Muradov’s works convey the spirit of national traditions and languages, they are authentic, as they are filled with ethnic patterns and motifs of the Dagestani epic. The artist depicts ancient symbols in his original manner, deciphering the sacred signs of his people.
The painting “Amulet” was created in 2017 and two years later appeared at the Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions at the artist’s personal exhibition “The Bridge between Times”. It was donated by the artist to the museum when the exhibition was over.
