Immerse yourself in Georgia's rich artistic heritage at the Art Museum of Georgia, also known as the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts. As one of the leading cultural institutions in Georgia, the museum houses an extensive collection of over 140,000 pieces, chronicling the evolution of Georgian, Oriental, Russian, and European art.
The museum's roots date back to 1920 when it was first established as the National Art Gallery by a group of Western-educated Georgian artists. It later transformed into the Central Museum of Fine Arts in 1923 and finally became the Art Museum of Georgia in 1950. The present-day museum stands in the heart of old Tbilisi, in a neoclassical building built in 1838, once a theological seminary during the Imperial Russian period.
The museum boasts some of the best-known samples of Georgian artwork, tracing the progression from medieval times through to the twentieth century, with a special emphasis on the country's goldsmith pieces from the VIII to XIX centuries. These works of art highlight the intricacy and richness of Georgian culture, including cut-enamel, jewelry, art textiles from the VIII to XV centuries, and fragments of medieval architecture, wall paintings, mosaics, and sculptures.
In the midst of this vast collection, one can find 146 items from the famous Georgian artist, Niko Pirosmanishvili, alongside other renowned artists such as Gigo Gabashvili, Iakob Nikoladze, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akvlediani, and David Kakabadze. The collection also extends to include pieces from Russian, Western Europe, and Oriental artists from the XVIII-XIX centuries.
Of significant note is the Oriental collection, one of the largest in the post-Soviet countries, with a notable focus on Persian fine arts, particularly Qajar art. It comprises various miniatures of Persian court artists, presenting a spectrum of court beauties, shahs, and noblemen.
As a part of the Georgian National Museum, the Art Museum of Georgia not only acts as a custodian of the country's artistic past but also as a venue for temporary exhibitions from collections around the country and beyond. Offering a diverse artistic experience, the museum invites visitors to engage with the stories etched into each piece, allowing them to explore the depths of Georgia's vibrant cultural tapestry.
