PhD
Researcher
Tamaz Beradze Institute of Georgian Studies, the University of Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
PhD
Researcher
Tamaz Beradze Institute of Georgian Studies, the University of Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia
History of the Development of Georgian Art Studies
The history of Georgian art history, as an indigenous branch of scholarship, begins at the end of the 19th century—one of the most pivotal periods for Georgia, marking a new phase of the Georgian national revival with its own defining foundations. During this time, educated individuals who shared Western political views and were inspired by liberal ideas returned to Georgia after completing their studies abroad. The first group, known as the Tergdaleulebi (Georgian intellectuals educated in Russia), was followed by a second generation at the beginning of the 20th century. Their primary concern, like that of many progressive thinkers throughout history, was the liberation of Georgia, the attainment of independence, and the establishment of a sovereign state. To realize this vision, they, along with like-minded intellectuals in Georgia, began working toward this goal immediately upon their return. It was during this period that the formation and development of the National School of Art History in Georgia commenced, taking shape within the Literary, Historical, and Ethnographic Societies, the Georgian Artists' Societies, as well as institutions such as Tbilisi State University, the Academy of Arts, and the Georgian Museum and Art Museum founded on their basis. Pioneers such as Ekvtime Takaishvili, Giorgi Chubinashvili, Nikoloz Severov, Alexander Kalgin, Dimitri Shevardnadze, and their students played key roles. Giorgi Chubinashvili undertook the formidable task of creating a comprehensive history of Georgian art. This monumental work involved systematizing facts obtained or newly discovered by the previous generation of scholars, establishing chronology, situating these facts within their historical context, and substantiating the assertion that “our national art is a part and result of our national history.” He aimed to restore and scientifically portray the development of Georgian art over centuries through art-historical analysis, employing the “categories of style.”
This report attempts to reflect the activities conducted within each institution and highlight the contributions of individuals who significantly shaped the development of Georgian art history and its position within the international scholarly community.
Keywords: Georgian art history; G. Chubinashvili National research Centre of Georgian Art History; Museum of fine arts; Tbilisi state University; Tbilisi Academy of fine arts; National Museum of Georgia; Eqvtime Takaishvili; Giorgi Chubinashvili; Dimitri Shevardnadze; Shalva Amiranashvili.