Unique hand painted book for UN art collection
The cover of the book is made from silver and more than 20 types of precious stones including pieces of meteorite. Photo: Art Development Fund
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Famous Georgian artists have united efforts to create a unique, hand-painted edition of the famous Georgian poem, The Knight in the Panther’s Skin by Shota Rustaveli for the UN Headquarters’ art collection.
The illustrations are made by Sophio and Tamaz Varvaridze, the text is written by five Georgian leading calligraphers.
The decorative cover, made from silver and more than 20 types of precious stones including pieces of meteorite, is the masterpiece of Georgia’s most well-known sculptor and goldsmith Elgudja Amashukeli, known to the world by the brand name Goudji.
The back side of the book cover. Photo: Art Development Fund
Goudji Amashukeli emigrated from Soviet Georgia with the help of the French President Georges Pompidou in 1974: this is his first visit back to the country in 44 years to present the cover to the public at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia.
The piece of work was available for visitors to see only for two days – 24 and 25 September.
The project was organised by the Art Development Fund (IMT), and the author of the idea is Ia Khurtsidze with the financial help of the Abdushelishvili family.
The hand-painted book will be sent to the UN Headquarters’ art collection in New York as a unique masterpiece of Georgian culture.
Goudji Amashukeli is the most well known Georgian sculpture and goldsmith. Photo: Art Development Fund
Goudji Amashukeli was awarded with the rank of knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour in France in 2008 and is well-known for his art works created for museums and art galleries and churches, including the Louvre and Vatican Museums and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Goudji Amashukeli is also the creator of so-called ‘swords of academicians’, which are given to new members of the French Academy.