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Georgian National Museum Hosts Italian Masterpieces

By Mariam Chanishvili
Monday, May 28
Georgian National Museum (GNM) and the Embassy of Italy to Georgia, within the Museum Fest, presented various exhibitions on May 24, including "Geniuses of Renaissance" and "Evidence. A New State of Art".

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Italy to Georgia H.E.Antonio Enrico Bartoli, General Director of the Georgian National Museum, David Lordkipanidze, Director of the Royal Library in Turin, Giovanni Saccani, Director of the Garuzzo Institute for the Visual Arts, Olivia Fortini.

Antonio Enrico Bartoli noted that this exhibition is a result of close cooperation between the two countries.

“This exhibition is a gift from us to celebrate the Independence Day of Georgia. We are presenting the masterpieces – graphic works from the Royal Library of Turin. We decided to share more colors as well and this is why we chose Titian. We also wanted to present contemporary art and this is “Evidence. A New State of Art". After exhibited in Georgia, the artworks will be placed in special storage room for one year before exhibiting them again. This once again highlights the importance of this exhibition,” stated Bartoli.

Giovanni Saccani noted that the Royal Library in Turin is glad to share the artworks in Georgia.

“We are glad that to share this artworks to Georgians. Masterpieces by world-renown artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Vasari will be showcased in Tbilisi,” said Saccani.

D. Shevardnadze National Gallery is hosting an exhibition of Garuzzo Institute for Visual Arts - presenting contemporary Italian artists' artworks created since 1950's.

The exhibition - "Evidence. A New State of Art" aims to provide a concentrated, significant map of the current art scene in Italy.

The exposition reveals how artists, from the 1950s to the present day, have continued to investigate - through research and analysis.

The exhibition features artwork by 18 artists: Nino Migliori, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Giulio Paolini, Mimmo Paladino, Luigi Mainolfi, Marisa Albanese, Eugenio Giliberti, Pierluigi Pusole, Botto & Bruno, Alberto Di Fabio, Adrian Tranquilli, Paolo Grassino, Marzia Migliora, Perino & Vele, Giuseppe Stampone, Domenico Antonio Mancini, Elisa Strinna and Fabrizio Cotognini.

This project is the result of cooperation between the Italian Embassy and the Georgian National Museum and is implemented in the frames of the Georgian governmental project Check-in-Georgia.

This initiative is supported by: From Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and program "Vivere ALL'Italiana", from Georgia - Ministry of Culture and Sport of Georgia, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Georgian National Tourism Administration. Also, DBA, Salini Impregilo, VTB Bank, Leonardo, Gulf, Anas.

"Geniuses of Renaissance" features masterpieces from the Royal Library of Turin.

The exhibition showcases graphic works of the following artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael Sanzio, Sandro Botticelli, Giorgio Vasari, Bernardino Pinturicchio, Andrea Mantegna, Giulio Romano, Antonio Pollaiolo, Luca Signorelli, Vittore Carpaccio, Bramantino (Bartolomeo Suardi), Bartolomeo Montagna, Pietro Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci), etc.

The exhibition "Titian - Master of Color: The Virgin and Child" opened on May 15 at D. Shevardnadze National Gallery, Tbilisi and is available until August 5.

This exhibition is part of a large project, which also comprises exhibitions of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and other great Italian artists in Georgian National Museum.