Opening of the Shalva Amiranashvili State Museum of Arts of Georgia

The historical building of the Art Museum still requires rehabilitation and reconstruction, which is why it has been closed to visitors for several years. The restoration process is objectively complex and lengthy. As a solution to revive the museum’s operations, it was decided to rehabilitate and reconstruct the museum’s so-called second building. This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Culture, began in 2021 and was completed in 2024. A total area of 6,000 square meters was fully renovated, housing modern workspaces, conference rooms, exhibition halls, and storage facilities.

The Shalva Amiranashvili State Museum of  Arts of Georgia will open for visitors on October 8 at 10 a.m.The museum will remain open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on subsequent days.

The newly established exhibition spaces of the Art Museum will feature the following exhibitions:

Medieval Georgian Relief Sculpture

Georgian Art  – 1900 to 1930

From Paolo Veneziano to Wassily Kandinsky

Medieval Georgian Relief Sculpture

The exposition presents samples of mediaval stone carving preserved in the Museum of Fine Art of Georgia, which adorned facades and interiors of Christian churches in the form of figurative images or ornamental décor. The beauty of the exhibition is the building inscription, written in the Georgian Asomtavruli script, on the door tympanum engraving of the 10 th century Shepiak temple. Altar screens of the 11 th century from Ateni, Zedazeni, Tserovani, Sapara, Urtkxvi and so forth are of particular high artistic value. Fragments of stelae of different periods and regions, and the so-called free crosses crowning them, are an important part of the exhibition.

Georgian Art. 1900-1930

This exhibition presents a captivating narrative of Georgian art and its evolution during a pivotal period in the nation’s history. At the dawn of the 20th century, Tbilisi was a vibrant multicultural hub, attracting artists from diverse backgrounds. This era encompasses the brief period of Georgia’s independence (1918-1921), the Sovietization in 1921, and the subsequent Soviet decade. Against the backdrop of these turbulent changes, Georgian art flourished, reflecting both the trials and triumphs of the times. Housed in a dynamic new exhibition space, the display showcases masterpieces of Georgian art that define an era of artistic innovation and cultural transformation.

The journey begins with the magnificent works of Niko Pirosmani, including newly restored panels that have not been exhibited for decades. These carefully selected pieces draw visitors into Pirosmani’s world, offering a deep dive into the artist’s unique style and the depth of his work. The exhibition also highlights works by other eminent Georgian artists such as Iakob Nikoladze, David Kakabadze, Elen Akhvlediani, Lado Gudiashvili, Shalva Kikodze, Valerian Sidamon-Eristavi, and others. Their artistic explorations, expressions, and daring modernist experiments provide a panoramic view of the global artistic dialogue that influenced Georgian art during this transformative period. By focusing on the formation and development of Georgian art within its historical context, this exhibition aims to foster a deeper understanding of Georgian cultural heritage while celebrating the universal language of art.

It should be noted that the sculpture, a reconstructed version of a lost work by David Kakabadze, recreated by sculptor Rezo Khasia, will be exhibited. The reconstruction is based on a photograph taken by Kakabadze. The sculpture project provisionally titled The Golden Fish, was created in Paris in 1926, with only a photograph of the original surviving.

In line with the new universal concept of the Shalva Amiranashvili State Museum of Fine Arts of Georgia, the exhibition has become more accessible to sightless and partially sighted visitors, along with their families. Tactile relief copies of some of the most significant and remarkable works were specially created for this new exposition, marking the first time such objects have been featured in a Georgian exhibition. Additionally, 18 works are accompanied by audio descriptions.

As part of the exhibition, four of the 12 selected works by Niko Pirosmanashvili have been carefully restored and conserved.

From Paolo Veneziano to Wassily Kandinsky

This exhibition traces the remarkable evolution of European art over six centuries, from the 14th century to the 1930s, through a curated selection of masterpieces from the museum’s collection. The exhibition is chronologically arranged to illustrate the transformative journey of European art through its various influential artistic schools and historical centers. It offers a captivating exploration of the dynamic changes in styles, techniques, and themes that have shaped European art across different eras. Starting with the early Renaissance masterpieces of Paolo Veneziano and Bernardo Daddi, the exhibition moves through the rich tapestry of European art history.Witness the refined elegance of Lucas Cranach the Elder, the dramatic intensity of Guido Reni, and the emotional depth of Francesco Brina. Explore the lively genre scenes of Jan Steen, the social critiques of Honoré Daumier, and the visionary symbolism of Odilon Redon. The exhibition also highlights the contributions of the brilliant representatives of the Mir Iskusstva (World of Art) movement, including Léon Bakst, Serge Sudeikin, and Mikhail Vrubel, alongside the dynamic creations of Auguste Rodin and Aristide Maillol. The journey continues into the bold experimentation of the 20th-century avant-garde, featuring groundbreaking works by Wassily Kandinsky, Fernand Léger, Osvaldo Licini and Mikhail Larionov. From Paolo Veneziano to Wassily Kandinsky provides an in-depth understanding of the diverse artistic styles that emerged from Europe’s most decisive historical centers. By presenting these exceptional works, the exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy and profound impact of European art.

We invite you to immerse yourself in this visual and intellectual journey through six centuries of artistic brilliance.

Enjoy the exhibition!