Gamarjoba – it’s been very hot in Tbilisi this week, so I decided to visit the Georgian National Gallery. There’s a peaceful shady garden in back – great place to sit with the trees and enjoy a cold drink.
Many think the Archaeological Treasury is the Gallery’s highlight. Items displayed include impressive gold jewellery, ornaments, ceramics, weapons, and items dating back to the Kingdom of Colchis and ancient Trialeti Barrow Culture. I most enjoyed the paintings of popular Georgian artists Nikolay Pirosmanashvili and Sophia Cherkezishvili – several of them are attached – most are uncaptioned.
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“The Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery of Georgia hosts the exhibition of artist Sophia Cherkezishvili entitled – And then she said maybe –
I dedicate this story to trees I imagine can fly,
To bridges and labyrinths, I shall construct with certainty,
Fairy tales, I’m sure to believe in,
and to the bells, I’ll probably hear.”
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Albert Salzmann and Dimitri Shevardnadze
Originally built in 1888, the National Gallery was designed by architect Albert Salzmann, born in Tbilisi to affluent German immigrants. Georgian artist Dimitri Shevardnadze was another individual instrumental in founding the National Gallery. The first exhibition in 1920, included European and oriental art collections, Iranian miniature art, and paintings by Georgian artists previously preserved in private collections. During World War I, the “museum was closed, and exhibits were shipped away”. The gallery became a part of the Georgian National Museum in 2007.
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“Pirosmani is also known for painting many a depiction of “Qeipi”. Preserved through both turbulent and peaceful times, “Qeipi” is a tradition of a feast, with enough wine, music, and entertainment to consider it a party.” Georgia Starts Here
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“Trees always stand by you.” Georgian Artist Sophia Cherkezishvili
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“Tbilisi National Gallery has played a central role in the promotion of Georgian art. Today, it holds more than 30,000 items of value, including permanent exhibitions from prominent Georgian artists Niko Pirosani, Davit Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, and sculptor Iakob Nikoladze. In recent years it hosted world-famous artists, including Michelangelo, Titian, Botticelli, Lucas Cranach, and Michelangelo Pistoletto.
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“According to Georgian legend, artist Niko Pirosmani once sold all of his possessions to impress a French actress who never reciprocated his feelings.” The Collector
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