Art Palace obtains paintings of 19th century Georgian life by Paul von Franken

Art enthusiasts in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi can now view classical works depicting 19th century Georgian cities and countryside by German painter Paul von Franken, after the pieces were donated to the city’s Art Palace museum this week.

Three paintings by von Franken (1818-1884), who came to be known as "The Painter of the Caucasus” for his work in the region, will become part of the venue’s continual display.

The works include the pieces Evening by the Kura River Near Tiflis, Caucasian Landscape with a Village and Oriental Cityscape.

The painting 'Evening by the Kura River Near Tiflis' shows a 19th century Tbilisi scene. Photo: Art Palace.

They were donated to Art Palace by Archil Gelovani, Chairman of the museum’s Board of Trustees and founder of the Pirosmani Foundation.

Gelovani obtained von Franken’s paintings at prominent international art auctions including the Sotheby’s and Christie’s for a combined value of over 500,000 GEL (around 200,000 USD/164.000 EUR*).

Born in the western German village of Oberbachem, von Franken emerged as a well-known landscape painter and a member of the Duesseldorf School of Painting.

'Caucasian Landscape with a Village', a work by von Franken. Photo: Art Palace.

Associated with the late Romanticist period of classical art, the painter travelled cities and countryside of the Caucasus in the second half of the 19th century with a commission from the Russian government.

Painting life and landscapes in the provinces of the region, von Franken also resided in Tbilisi with his wife in 1853. The artist died in Dusseldorf in 1884.

Art Palace said on Tuesday the three paintings by von Franken would go on permanent display of the venue "in the nearest days”.

* Currency rates according to today's National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.