COPIES OF GEORGIAN FRESCOES FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE MUSEUM OF ARTS OF GEORGIA

The exhibition showcases copies of medieval Georgian monumental art created by renowned Georgian artists in the early 20th century. These selected works represent a small portion of the rich collection at the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Arts. The creation of this collection can be attributed to the dedicated efforts of Ekvtime Takaishvili and Dimitri Shevardnadze, both advocates for Georgian culture and museum development, along with contributions from historical, ethnographic, and artistic societies.

Major expeditions aimed at studying Georgian culture began in the 1910s, with enthusiastic participation from young artists who would later become prominent figures. The artifacts they produced are invaluable, as many originals no longer exist or are severely damaged.

The copies and sketches of Georgian frescoes displayed at the National Gallery highlight important treasures of our cultural heritage, each possessing distinct artistic value. The dates of the exhibited pieces indicate that these works mark the beginnings of the creative journeys of great Georgian artists such as David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Shalva Kikodze, Dimitri Shevardnadze, and others. Each copy is rendered with close fidelity to the originals, vivid expression, and a unique artistic style. Exploring these copies is essential for studying the works of the featured artists.