For You, Humanity!

For You, Humanity! () is a painting by the Azerbaijani artist Tahir Salahov. The painting is now in the collection of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan. It's considered one of the most recognisable works by the artist.

Painting

As a huge canvas didn't fit in the Salahov's studio, the artist created this painting indoors near the school. According to Salahov, he painted this portrait not due order, but due "internal, optimistic behest of the soul". According to art historian Nuraddin Habibov, the artist sought to convey his admiration of space exploration. According to some art experts, the humans holds in their hands a part of the satellites.

The premier of the painting was shown at the National Art Exhibition in Baku on April 12, 1961. Literally on the same day it was announced AbOUT Yuri Gagarin's journey into outer space, when his Vostok spacecraft completed an ORBit of the Earth. According to the artist, while working on this painting, he overshadowed by foresight, which in his opinion, is symbolic.

However, later the picture was regarded as deeply formalist. But despite the fact that until Salahova already heard rumors about this, he decided to send his painting to Moscow Manege, where exhibition of USSR's Union of Artists, held in 1962. The leadership of the Ministry of Culture of USSR traditionally passed around at the Manage, considering the work of artists, while paintings which didn't fit the criteria was often confiscated. Salahov removed his painting before commission's arrival, fearing that his picture will be removed for being formalist. Later, the first secretary of the Union of Artists of the USSR Sergey Gerasimov thanked Salahov for "saving the situation of our Union". The painting was sent to Baku and kept in National Art Museum of Azerbaijan until 2008.

The painting was restored in 2008 and demonstrated at exhibition dedicated to Salahov's 80th birthday at Aydan Gallery in Moscow. The exhibition was organised by artist's daughter Aidan Salahova. In same year, the painting was demonstrated at Venice Biennale as part of Azerbaijani Pavilion.

In 2011, the painting was one of postage stamps series, issued by Azərpoçt, which dedicated to the 50th anniversary of human space flight.