Unknown Pirosmani painting makes public debut

An unknown painting of famous Georgian self-educated artist Niko Pirosmani is now on display for the first time in Georgia. 

The first exhibition of Niko Pirosmani's completely restored artwork Hunting in India is being exhibited from January 15-31 at the Georgian National Museum Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts.

A restored painting of Pirosmani named 'Hunting in India'. Photo by National Museum of Georgia.

The painting was completely restored by the restoration team of the Georgian National Museum in 2014. After the team completed the complex process, Hunting in India was put on display to the public for the first time in its complete form.

The unique piece of art was bought by the museum from writer Sergo Kldiashvili in 1930. One particular fragment of the walking man was missing from the painting, but later this fragment was acquired by the museum. The exact date and personal information of the painting's original owner was not indicated in the inventory catalogue.

The fragment of Hunting in India was showcased in 1930 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow and at Metekhi Museum in 1938. After Dimitri Shevardnadze's execution, the painting was kept in storage.

An attempt to restore the painting was made in the 1970's but because of the level of damage, work to restore the painting did not begin. Preparatory and restoration work only started in 2004.