Valentin Sherpilov And His Students : Edmond Kalandadze, Jibson Khundadze, Zhani Medzmariashvili, Zurab Nijaradze

Valentin Sherpilov
(Tbilisi, 1911 – Tbilisi, 1974)

Valentin Sherpilov was a Georgian painter known for his vibrant and expressive works. He began his artistic journey studying sculpture at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts (1932–1938). However, upon the recommendation of the renowned artist Davit Kakabadze, he shifted to the painting department and studied under Kakabadze’s mentorship. After graduating, Sherpilov worked as an assistant to Mose Toidze in the painting department. In the late 1930s, Sherpilov was dismissed from the academy due to accusations of promoting “incorrect ideas” (namely, Impressionism) among students. Despite this setback, he went on to teach at the Tbilisi Art School from 1938 to 1974, mentoring multiple generations of artists. Sherpilov’s artistic repertoire included genre compositions, portraits, and scenes capturing the essence of everyday life in Tbilisi. His works are marked by an expressive use of color and a spontaneous, free-flowing style. In the 1960s, he developed a particular interest in the encaustic painting technique. Sherpilov’s contributions to the art world earned him the titles of Honored Artist and Honored Teacher of Georgia.

His works are preserved in prominent institutions, including the Museum of Arts of Georgia, the Georgian National Gallery, the Oni Museum of Regional Studies, the Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow), and the Museum of the Peoples of the East (Moscow). Additionally, his pieces are held in private collections across Georgia and abroad..

Valentin Sherpilov, both as a painter and educator, is an extraordinarily Georgian phenomenon. Although ethnically Russian, he dedicated his life to serving Georgian culture, as fate or destiny had placed him here from the beginning. Georgian was his language, his family environment was Georgian, and Georgian traditions and customs shaped his spiritual world—an embodiment of his nobility and aristocratic character.

During Sherpilov’s studies at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts, prominent figures of Georgian culture such as Lansere, Toidze, Kakabadze, and Bajbeuk-Melikov were teaching there. This naturally ensured a high standard of education and professionalism. Among them, however, Sherpilov held the deepest respect and gratitude for David Kakabadze, who guided him and opened his eyes as a young artist. Like all true creators, Sherpilov retained a keen thirst for learning until his death. He studied the principles of classical composition, created copies of paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese, and kept Delacroix’s diary as his constant reference, striving to understand the secrets of painting techniques. He also devoted great interest to encaustic painting, creating five works in this technique. Among these, the most impressive is A Small Scene from Italian Life, inspired by his travels in Italy. Although he spent only a few days there, he returned with renewed strength, saying, “It feels like I’ve been reborn.” The painting transforms an ordinary, everyday moment into a festival of colors, vividly reflecting the artist’s unique voice. The richness of color in the work harmonizes with the marble-like texture characteristic of wax paint, giving the piece the luxurious luster of polished stone.

Sherpilov’s thematic range was broad. Alongside portraits and landscapes, he created numerous works on historical and revolutionary themes. While many of these pieces were products of their time, influenced by the political and social processes of the era, one undeniable quality stands out: the artist’s high level of professionalism. In every work, the mastery of the painter is evident.

Sherpilov was a true colorist with impeccable “hearing,” capable of translating his visions and emotions into the complex language of color. His painting paid particular attention to maximizing the expressive potential of color. This is why he was constantly learning, exploring, and experimenting. Valentin Sherpilov was an artist to his core. For him, painting was not only a vocation but a spiritual necessity to which he devoted his entire life. Most importantly, he passed on to us the ability to perceive the world through his unique vision—his sounds and forms, colors, and shadows.

With such selfless and almost sacrificial dedication to art, Sherpilov inspired admiration and love among the younger generation. His life and work elevated the role of an artist and educator to a level of dignity. It is notable that the transformations in Georgian painting during the 1950s are associated with a group of artists whose formation was greatly influenced by Sherpilov as a teacher. These young artists (Edmond Kalandadze, Jibson Khundadze, Zhani Medzmariashvili, Zurab Nijaradze, among others) shaped the modern face of Georgian art. In Sherpilov’s works, they particularly valued the Impressionist richness of color, the impeccable knowledge of composition, and mastery of drawing. Color, as the primary emotional element, took on a central role in the paintings. Its expressive power resonated boldly, while the deepening of the expressive language brought an intimate, chamber quality to the works..

Sophio Ioseliani