Late Georgian painter Simon Dadiani’s works returned to homeland
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Tbilisi's Art Palace museum will become the new home for artwork by acclaimed late Georgian emigre artist Simon Dadiani after Georgia received a vast collection of the artist from his France-based heirs.
The news was announced earlier today by Art Palace director Giorgi Kalandia, who told Imedi channel program paintings and sculpture work by Dadiani were handed to his museum based on an agreement signed last month.
Kalandia said the collection under question would have been "desired by any museum in the world", underlining the high regard Dadiani (1916-1974) was held during his residence and work first in France and later in the US.
An artwork by Simon Dadiani included in the collection returned to Georgia.
The collection under the agreement includes 20 abstract and realist paintings as well as two sculptures work, exhibited in past at venues including the Montess Gallery of New York and San Francisco Museum of Art.
The handing over of the work to the Tbilisi museum marks the fulfilment of the wish of the artist to see his legacy returned to Georgia following a restoration of the independence of the country Dadiani hoped for during his emigration.
Organised on initiative by Mia Ghviniashvili, a Georgian-based relative of the artist, the process of handover involved high-profile cultural agencies and diplomatic services from Georgia and France.
A painting from the collection handed to the Georgian side involved in talks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Georgia's Embassy in France collaborated on the project that also involved efforts from Dadiani's French-based heirs.
Born in Georgia, Dadiani emigrated with his family after the country's Soviet takeover in 1921.
The young artist studied and worked first in France and later in the US, where he was sometimes referred to by art professionals as "the Georgian Modigliani" (in reference to the famed Italian Jewish painter Amedeo Modigliani). Dadiani was buried in the US following his death.
Painter Simon Dadiani emigrated from Georgia at a young age and resided first in France and then in the US. Photo: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia.
The artwork in the collection handed to Art Palace will be displayed in Georgia for the first time, with the museum staff planning their first exhibition on the painter next year.
Some of the artwork, including stage designs Dadiani created for opera productions in San Francisco, will also be exhibited on November 5 at the Javrishvili Art Gallery in Tbilisi.
The works obtained by Art Palace is also the largest art collection received by Georgia for permanent display in the country.
A piece of artwork linking two outstanding figures of 20th century Georgian art will be preserved in the country after it was acquired by the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia.
A work by artist Levan Lagidze became the latest piece by a Georgian painter to be sold at New York’s Shapiro Auctions after it was acquired by a collector last week.
A unique 18th century venue in the Netherlands is hosting a personal exhibition of works by Georgian painter Giorgi Kukhalashvili, with the artist also featured in the Dutch media.
Locals and visitors of Tbilisi interested in historical art forms are invited to a presentation of art historian Irina Arsenishvili’s book on the history of easel painting in Georgia at the Georgian National Museum.
Katrine Levin Galleries in London is hosting the exhibition of Levan Lagidze’s paintings, from 19 November to 8 December.
A five-month double exhibition in Georgia’s picturesque eastern province of Kakheti will mark a dual anniversary of the Sighnaghi Museum starting later today.
A Portrait of a Gentleman with Skull attributed to Pieter Jansz Pourbus, which was formerly owned by Georgian noble Andria Dadiani in the 17th century, has returned to Georgia. “I know it is unbelievable but we managed to acquire this masterpiece during the pandemic!” Director General of Tbilisi Art Palace Museum Giorgi Kalandia wrote on Facebook yesterday.