Tbilisi’s Art Palace to mark International Museum Day with display of Bartolome Murillo’s ‘Madonna and Child’

Spanish Baroque artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo’s 19th century Madonna and Child, originally purchased by the Tsarist-era Georgian entrepreneur Davit Sarajishvili in Paris, will be exhibited at Tbilisi’s Art Palace museum to mark International Museum Day on Friday.

Bearing the historical significance for the Georgian venue due to its connection with the well-known winemaker and public figure Sarajishvili (1848-1911), the artwork’s display will highlight its long path through estates of Georgian noble figures and public personalities before it ended up at the Tbilisi museum.

The piece also highlights the Culture Ministry’s efforts to replenish local museum collections, which “saved” the work - which bears similarity to a piece preserved at the famed Victoria and Albert Museum - from being taken abroad, Art Palace said.

Murillo’s painting was obtained by Sarajishvili at a Paris auction in exchange for a “great price” and later gifted to his sister Mariam, married to the Georgian playwright Davit Eristavi. The family connection meant the painting eventually found a place in the Eristavi family, before it was preserved at Art Palace.

Murillo is known for his works on religious themes, and was recognised as Seville’s leading painter in the latter part of the 17th century. The artist was influenced by the works of Velazquez, with his pieces now displayed at major galleries of classical art.

International Museum Day is celebrated worldwide since 1977 with the organisation of the International Council of Museums.