Pirosmani paintings to be restored and preserved

A selection of artworks by self-educated famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani will be restored and protected, Georgian officials reveal.

The Protection Agency of Cultural Heritage of Georgia today announced a selection of Pirosmani’s paintings currently housed at the Pirosmani State Museum in Mirzaani, the village where the painter was born, will be restored and keep safely for future generations to enjoy.

Experts from Agency decided that among 14 artworks of Pirosmani, his paintings Women with Easter Egg and Shota Rustaveli, needed "urgent restoration”.

Shota Rustaveli by Niko Pirosmani.

The specialists noted other pieces of art from Mirzaani Museum, which only house Pirosmani’s paintings, also needed to be restored.

After the first two paintings were restored, experts would work on restoring paintings Queen Tamar, Bear with white cubs, Grove and all other pieces preserved in the Mirzaani Museum.

Meanwhile, to protect movable monuments and ensure their safety, three of Pirosmani’s paintings were restored by the Agency in 2012 and 2013.

The restoration of Pirosmani’s artworks is being financially supported by the Protection Agency of Cultural Heritage of Georgia, with collaboration of the National Museum of Georgia.

Pirosmani's artworks became aspiration for designer Alexander Arutyunov. Collection fall-winter 2015-2016. Photo © PR Alexander Arutyunov

Earlier this year the Protection Agency of Cultural Heritage of Georgia launched an exhibition, named ‘Museum’s Collection’ showcasing Pirosmani’s work from the Mirzaani Museum.

The exhibition was initially held at the Palace of Fine Arts in Tbilisi and from tomorrow Pirosmani’s artwork will go on display at the Kutaisi State Historical Museum in western Georgia. In May, the exhibition will move to Tsinandali, in Kakheti, and in summer the exhibition will be welcomed by Georgia’s costal city Batumi.