Artist and public figure, the People’s Artist of Georgia, Ketevan Magalashvili was born in Kutaisi, Georgia in 1894. Between 1911 and 1915, she studied at the Tiflis School of Painting and Sculpture of the Caucasian Society. In 1914, she went to Moscow and began her education at the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture under the supervision of K. Korovin, N. Kasatkin, and others.
In 1917, Ketevan Magalashvili returned to Tbilisi and joined the newly established Society of Georgian Artists, embarking on expeditions that played a crucial role in shaping her artistic journey. Collaborating with other renowned artists, she meticulously replicated frescoes in Georgian churches – a testament to her dedication and skill. From 1921 onward, Magalashvili dedicated her efforts to the newly established National Art Gallery. Her active involvement as a co-participant and supporter contributed to the gallery’s growth and cultural impact.
The years she spent in Paris (1923-1926) were transformative. Enrolling at the Académie Colarossi, she immersed herself in the vibrant artistic milieu of the city. This experience left an indelible mark on her identity as a painter. Returning to her homeland, the artist continued active creative work until the end of her life and emerged as one of the prominent representatives of Georgian modernist painting.
Ketevan Magalashvili’s work showed an interest in the portrait genre from the beginning. Her extensive gallery of portraits captured the intellectual and creative elite of her time. The charm of these psychological portraits lies in the expressiveness of the pictorial surface. Within the framework of realistic painting, the style is improvisational. Individual forms are suddenly hinted at abstractly. All components of the artistic whole are in harmonious balance, determining the accuracy of the desired expression.
The main part of the artistic heritage of Ketevan Magalashvili is preserved in the National Art Museum of Georgia.