A painting by D.Badam named “Summer at the White Stupa”
has been given  as present to the
Hermitage Museum, St.Petersburg, by Prime Minister S.Batbold. It will be only
the second Mongolian painting there, after “Kherlen” by Ts.Budbazar which the
Hermitage obtained 50 years ago.

Badam told our reporter she painted this work after a visit to Umnugobi aimag
last summer. She is happy that not only her own work but Mongolian art in
general would now be displayed at the Hermitage. Mongolian art is very powerful
and has unique features, though it has been influenced by both Russian and
Chinese art.

Natural evolution of the traditional Mongolian painting style was interrupted
in the socialist period because artists mostly graduated from art institutes in
the former Soviet Union, and learnt to paint in the European style. Badam noted
that traditional Mongolian painting reflected Mongolian life faithfully, and
often included the saddle, and the bridle and of course a horse. Mongolians drew
every element in careful detail.