Elene Akhvlediani (1901-1975) was a painter, graphic artist, book illustrator, and theater and cinema artist. Beyond her prolific output, she played a pivotal role in organizing events. She formed a group of Georgian women landscape painters who specialized in Plein Air art and initiated a Children’s Gallery in Tbilisi. Her home served as both a workshop and a symbolic representation of Tbilisi’s identity – a hub for Georgian and international artists, hosting exhibitions, evenings, and concerts.
In 1922, Elene Akhvlediani embarked on a European journey with a scholarship from the Society of Georgian Artists. After spending two years in Italy, she joined a community of Georgian artists in Paris, enrolling at the Académie Colarossi alongside Ketevan Magalashvili.
While in Paris, the main motif of her work was formed – the urban landscape. During this period, the artist created a graphic series of nudes with a strong erotic charge (naturally, she did not return to this topic in Soviet Georgia). She was quite successful in Paris, with collectors and artists, including Paul Signac himself, purchasing her painted landscapes. Elene Akhvlediani participated in Salon des Indépendants in Paris and Salon d’Automne exhibitions. Her first solo exhibition took place in Paris at the Galerie de Quatre-Chemins in 1926.
The Georgian artists who studied in Paris contributed a new chapter to 20th-century Georgian painting. Enriched by the Parisian school’s influences, their art seamlesslv blended modernity with national identity. Elene Akhvlediani, renowned for her diverse portfolio, received special acclaim for her exceptional landscapes, vividly capturing Georgia’s natural beauty. Her iconic landscapes even inspired terms like Elene’s Tbilisi and Elene’s Kakheti, underscoring her enduring artistic legacy.