Atinati

Mzia Chikhradze · August 20, 2026

GIGO GABASHVILI

Giorgi (Gigo) Gabashvili (1862-1936) was one of the founders of the Georgian academic school and easel painting. Deeply influenced by the traditions of Russian Realism, his artistic vision closely aligned with the ideals of the Peredvizhniki (the Wanderers), a connection clearly reflected in his realistic works. Gabashvili was also the first artist in the history of Georgian art to create symbolist compositions.

Ana Shanshiashvili · August 20, 2026

THE ICONOGRAPHY OF PIROSMANASHVILI'S PAINTINGS AND ITS TIES WITH GEORGIAN ARTISTIC TRADITIONS

The work of the late 19th- to early 20th-century self-taught Georgian artist Niko Pirosmanashvili is among the jewels of Georgian cultural heritage. On one hand, Pirosmanashvili's legacy reflects his unique inborn talent, individual mastery and artistic individuality, while on the other his art is most often considered among the best expressions of the Georgian national aesthetic identity and its continuous artistic traditions.

Konstantine Bolkvadze · August 20, 2026

UNDER THE TURQUOISE SKY...

Georgian primitivism is often associated with Niko Pirosmani, although his work cannot be confined to that single category. His art engages with much broader pictorial traditions, and its uniqueness extends far beyond what is usually meant by naive or primitivist painting.

Kitty Machabeli · August 20, 2026

MARTVILI ENCOLPION

One of the earliest pieces of medieval Georgian art is the Martvili Encolpion, a miniature triptych icon dating to the 8th-9th centuries. Preserved for generations at Martvili Monastery, it is a complex work composed of three carved panels enriched with a variety of materials and techniques. Partitioned enamel, gilded silver relief figures, Gospel scenes on the reverse, and inlaid precious stones create a striking artistic whole.

Kitty Machabeli · August 20, 2026

REPOUSSE ICONS OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

The veneration of the Mother of God in Georgia spans many centuries. The perception of the Mother of God as the protector of humankind is further deepened by the belief that she is the patron saint of the Georgian land.

Leila Khuskivadze · August 20, 2026

THE OKONI TRIPTYCH ICON

In 2001, an exceptionally valuable Georgian artefact, which had been considered lost since 1991, unexpectedly appeared at a Christie’s auction in Geneva. This outstanding ivory work, known as the Okoni Triptych Icon, had disappeared from the Tskhinvali Museum. At that time, Georgian jurisdiction no longer extended over the territory, and the loss was not officially reported by the museum.

Mzia Chikhradze · April 25, 2026

GEORGIAN MODERNISM: TIFLIS AVANT-GARDE, 1910–1920

The artistic and cultural life of Tiflis¹— the capital of independent Georgia between 1918 and 1921 — represents a distinctive chapter in the history of modern Georgian art. During this period, Georgian artists actively embraced emerging Western trends, successfully transplanting them into the local cultural context. As a result, a rapid evolution took place—moving from academic art, which arrived in Georgia relatively late, to modernist forms of expression.

Nino Tchitchinadze · April 21, 2026

TRUE CROSS RELIQUARIES OF MEDIEVAL GEORGIA

The cult of the Cross of Golgotha, the instrument of Christ’s Passion, dates back to the time of Constantine the Great (272–337), leading to the creation of various practices, including the veneration of fragments of the Golgotha Cross and the production of their reliquaries.

Maia Tsitsishvili · March 19, 2026

THE TIFLIS PORTRAITURE SCHOOL

The portraiture of the Georgian nobility created in Tbilisi during the first half of the nineteenth century—known as the Tiflis Portraiture School—represents a landmark phenomenon in the history of Georgian art. The finest works produced within this creative circle stand out for their individuality and exceptional artistic quality, while also conveying a pronounced sense of national identity. It is noteworthy that the emergence of the Tiflis Portraiture School coincided with the broader development of modern Georgian art and the rise of easel painting in the country.

Mariam Gachechiladze · March 12, 2026

APOLLON KUTATELADZE

The name Apollon as perhaps symbolic, since he went on to commit his life to art and to contribute significantly to the development of contemporary Georgian fine art. His artistic legacy has been extensively acknowledged, appreciated, and honored with several titles and honorary orders

Irine Abesadze · February 13, 2026

LEV BAYAKHCHEV'S CREATIVE WORK

Lev Bayakhchev was an artist of the 1960s, a generation of artists that eagerly embraced the air of freedom leaking through the cracks of the "Iron Curtain" that had descended between the Soviet Union and the rest of the world in the aftermath of the post-Stalin liberalization of the 1950s. In doing so, this generation successfully assimilated many global cultural trends.

Nana Shervashidze · January 30, 2026

OTAR CHKHARTISHVILI

A Soviet underground artist, Chkhartishvili produced works that captured the social and aesthetic dimensions of unofficial art. The worldview and visual language of underground artists were radically different from the conventions of socialist realism. Though, by that time, the system had begun to weaken and unravel, it still held significant ideological weight and influence.

Maka Bezhuashvili · January 9, 2026

Mikheil Bilanishvili — Emigrant Artist

In 2024, the Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery hosted the exhibition "Beyond the Homeland." The project was initiated by the Chardin Gallery, which showcased the work of four Georgian émigré artists—Mikheil Bilanishvili, Felix Varlamishvili, Vera Pagava, and Vano Enukidze. Although each artist reached Paris by a different path in the early 20th century, France ultimately became their second homeland. Their lives and creative legacies diverged in many ways, yet the exhibition once again demonstrated how significantly émigré artists contributed to the development of Georgian modernism. Notably, each artist’s work has a unique link to Georgian culture. Several of the displayed pieces were shown to the public for the first time.

Ketevan Mikeladze · December 17, 2025

Illustrated Manuscripts of Shota Rustaveli’s ‘The Knight in the Panther’s Skin’

It is difficult to find anyone in Georgia who is unfamiliar with Shota Rustaveli’s iconic 12th-century poem The Knight in the Panther’s Skin (Vephistkaosani). The poem recounts the exploits of the main characters, Tariel (who is the knight in the panther's skin) and Avtandil, in their quest for love.

Ketevan Kintsurashvili · December 9, 2025

Beno Gordeziani: Representative of the Georgian Avant-Garde

Beno Gordeziani is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Georgian avant-garde art. His name is most closely identified with the Dadaist-Futurist group known as 'H2SO4.' This literary-artistic association was established in 1924. In a similar way to the effect of sulfuric acid (the chemical formula of which is reflected in the group’s name), its members aspired to destroy everything old and outmoded in the creative world.