Georgia acquires famous ‘Portrait of a Gentleman with Skull’ painting formerly owned by Georgian noble
Director General of Tbilisi Art Palace Museum Giorgi Kalandia said the painting was lost after Georgian noble Andria Dadiani died in Kiev in 1910. Photo: www.1stdibs.co.uk
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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.
Noting that this painting is 'really distinguished by its antiquity and artistic significance', Kalandia thanked David Aghmashenebeli University of Georgia and its head Temur Koridze for 'charity and active support' in bringing the painting from Europe to Georgia.
This early oil on oak panel depicting a gentleman in a black costume with a white collar and matching wrist cuffs, sits within a genre known as 'memento mori' - a Latin phrase which translates as ‘remember, you must die'.
The genre was popular in the 16th century and there was an eager audience among wealthy European collectors for them.
As the new coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the world and cultural venues in Georgia remain in shutdown along with other public institutions, the Art Palace museum is offering those staying at home a YouTube recording of a tour of the iconic Tbilisi space.
After long-term negotiations with the owner, Tbilisi Art Palace Museum has acquired Georgian Queen Darejan Dadiani’s (King Erekle II’s wife, 18th century) unique pendant with the financial support of Georgian doctor Zaza Chanturaia.
Fresh historical notes about Georgia, from letters by Georgian nobility to travellers’ sketches of national costumes, are being uncovered in archives of the British Library in London before their planned publication back in homeland.
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.