Portrait of Georgian King Teimuraz II Returns Home after 257 Years
By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, October 26
The portrait was exhibited for sale by 1stdibs online marketplace earlier this month, and priced at 186,000 USD. Experts of Art Palace led negotiations with 1Sstibs Gallery for the purchase of the portrait and Cartu Foundation, which belongs to tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili who is the founder and Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, bought the portrait at the price of $38,400.
The portrait was created at the Russian Imperial court in 1761 by Aleksandr Antropov (1716-1795) whose works are recognized as masterpieces.
A gravure painting of the Georgian king was created during the same period in Russia and was considered his earliest artistic representation still preserved to this day, until the discovery of the painting.
The return of the portrait to Georgia is very symbolic, as Teimuraz died in Russia and his body is buried in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Astrakhan.
After return in Georgia, the painting underwent a primary inspection and restoration inspection in Georgia, which fully confirmed all the conclusions conveyed by foreign experts.
Mikheil Batiashvili, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia, stated that the return of Teimuraz II portrait to Georgia is of utmost importance for the country.
"The return of the portrait of the Georgian king to Georgia is a unique and emotional phenomenon, Teimuraz could not return from Russia to his homeland when he was alive but now he has returned to his country as a portrait," he stated at the event dedicated to the portrait.
While delivering a speech, the minister emphasized the merit of the foundation Cartu in the implementation of the most important projects for the country.
Cart Fund has spent nearly 100 million GEL for restoring over 800 historical monuments.
At present 57 monuments are being rehabilitated, which totals 11 million GEL. In the years 2015-16, with the help of Fund Cartu Georgia also returned two paintings of famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani - Arsenal Hill at Night and Roe Deer Drinking From a Stream.