Tatia Tevdorashvili

 

Tatia Tevdorashvili
PhD Student

Apollon Kutateladze Tbilisi State Academy Of Art

The University of Georgia Tamaz Beradze Institute of Georgian Studies

 

Research Fellow
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7124-3038
tatia.tev@gmail.com

 

Artistic Processes in 19th-Century Georgia

Starting from the second half of the 18th century and into the 19th century, along with historical and political developments, a unique process of social and cultural formation occurred on the territory of Georgia. Following the annexation of Georgian states by the Russian Empire, a patriotic self-assertion emerged among the population, characterized by the emergence of Tergdaleulebi (artists) and a periodical publication of journals and newspapers, leading to the formation of a publicist discourse regarding social and cultural development within the country. The priority was given to cultural development, reflected in the diverse forms of expression and the emergence of professional Georgian theatre, as well as the establishment of regional museums in Tbilisi and other places in the Caucasus.

Alongside this, the historical context of Old Tbilisi was characterized by urban traditions, expressed through the cultural mosaic of the city, which combined elements of diverse traditions, creating a multi-layered social environment. In this milieu, the distinctive development of Georgian cultural processes unfolded, resulting in the formation of a rich cultural landscape in Tbilisi.

In this multi-layered cultural context, the development of artistic expression reached a new stage, leading to the emergence of the first generation of modern Georgian artists during this period.

During this time, the most notable artistic phenomenon was the movement toward portrait painting, which captured the essence of Georgian identity. This movement was characterized by the interplay of various techniques and approaches, paralleling the evolution of Georgian painting traditions. This included European influences, the emergence of illusionist painting, and the revival of the artistic spirit.

Among the notable artistic movements were ethnographic portraits - a reflection of the visual culture of different regions of Georgia and the Caucasus, which conveyed the uniqueness of Georgian and Caucasian identities.

From the second half of the 19th century, the first professional Georgian painter emerged - Grigol Maisuradze. From the 1880s, a new wave of artists appeared in the Georgian painting scene, such as Romanoz Gvelesiani, Aleksandre Beridze, Gigo Gabashvili, and Aleksandre Mrevlishvili. This period marked the rise of notable figures in Georgian culture, including the emergence of the figure of Niko Firosmanashvili.

The rise of professional painting art in Tbilisi demonstrated a unique urban artistic discourse, wherein the traditional elements of urban culture intersected with contemporary artistic practices. The dynamic interaction of various styles and forms of expression played a pivotal role in the evolution of the artistic community.

This and other artistic processes, which were characterized by distinct styles, reveal the diverse nature of artistic expressions. The professional development of painting during this period was closely intertwined with the social fabric of the population, reflecting the national identity and its representation through artistic means.

Keywords: Old Tbilisi, folk traditions of painting, professional painting, modern Georgian art.