Rustam Mammad oghlu Mustafayev was born on February 25, 1910. He graduated from the Baku Higher Art School in 1926. In 1928, after some internship in Moscow, he returned to Baku. He worked as a theatre designer at the Baku Free Criticism and Propaganda Theater, the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theater, and other theaters. He not only provided illustrations and theatricals for performances but also closely assisted directors and authors by actively participating in stage setups. Rustam Mustafayev became known as one of the creators of realist scenography in the cultural history of Azerbaijan.

Rustam Mustafayev, who lived a short yet meaningful and valuable creative life, rose to prominence in the 1930s, during the period of the development of Azerbaijani theater art. He provided a decor that instilled aesthetic taste to plays staged in those years, such as “1905-ci ildə” ("In 1905"), “Od gəlini” ("Bride of Fire") (by Jafar Jabbarli), “Ölülər” ("The Dead") (by Jalil Mammadguluzadeh), and “Şeyx Sənan” ("Sheikh Sanan") (by Huseyn Javid).
The artist, possessing profound knowledge and an original thinking style, set designs for performances that resonated significantly within the art world. He was invited to work at the Opera and Ballet Theater. Mustafayev's comprehensive approach and use of vibrant colors are reflected in the decorations and costumes of the theatre’s performances, including "Arshin Mal Alan", "Leyli and Majnun", "Koroghlu" (by Uzeyir Hajibeyli), "Ashiq Garib" (by Zulfugar Hajibeyov), "Shah Ismayil" (by Muslim Magomayev), and "Swan Lake" (by Pyotr Tchaikovsky).

The great composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli highly appreciated his contribution to opera performances. Rustam Mustafayev's theatricals for the opera Koroghlu (1937) deserve special mention. The artist's magnificent decorations mirrored the poetic manifestation of the rural landscape and the vivid depiction of history. The noble simplicity and monumentality of artistic images in the design formed an unviolable unity and harmony with the heroic opera of the brilliant composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli.

During the difficult years of repression, he created original and valuable examples of Azerbaijani scenography through his designs for numerous performances.

Rustam Mustafayev's creativity was multifaceted. He studied our miniature art and national architecture, was engaged in the design of various exhibitions, conducted scientific research, and achieved success in graphics and poster painting. He was a talented artist with a deep understanding of national ornaments, skillfully incorporating them into his work. Rustam Mustafayev was also a gifted book graphic artist. He was the artistic designer of the book “Aşığın səsi ("The Voice of the Ashug"), featuring poems by Azerbaijani ashugs, published in 1939.

Rustam Mustafayev, who left a bright mark in the art of theater painting, participated in numerous art exhibitions starting in 1928. At that time, various all-Union exhibitions were held in Moscow. The designer of the Azerbaijan section would be Rustam Mustafayev. One of his last works was linked to the establishment of the Nizami Literature Museum in 1940. He was one of the authors of the artistic design of this museum. Rustam Mustafayev was the director of the Central State Administration for the Protection of Azerbaijani Monuments from 1937 to 1940. He significantly contributed to the scientific restoration of several medieval Azerbaijani historical and architectural monuments, including the Palace of Shaki Khans. The artist was awarded various accolades, honorary diplomas, and the Order of the Badge of Honour in recognition of his services throughout his short life.

Rustam Mustafayev, who was thirty, died in Baku on July 19, 1940, and was buried in the Alley of Honor.

On July 1, 1943, the artist’s name was immortalized by naming the Azerbaijan State Art Museum after him.  

Recommended literature:

1. Rüstəm Mustafayev : 1910-1940: rəngkarlıq, qrafika, səhnə tərtibatı = Rustam Mustafayev : 1910-1940: painting, graphic arts, theatre's scene / layihənin rəh. Ç. Fərzəliyev ; mətnin müəl. Ə. Abdullayeva ; ing. dilinə tərc.: E. Paşayev, Ə. Məlikova ; foto. Ə. Ağasiyev. - Bakı : Şərq-Qərb, 2013. - 104 s.
2. Миклашевская, Н. Рустам Мустафаев /Н. Миклашевская ; ред. А. Ю. Казиев ; АН Азерб. ССР Ин-т Архитектуры и Искусства. - Баку: АН Азерб. ССР, 1959. - 58 с.