Art Palace of Georgia

Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography

By Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Photo of Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace (2011) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Art Palace of Georgia - Depositary of Georgian Culture

The Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace is an important depository of Georgian cultural objects. The museum is housed in one of the most stunning buildings in Tbilisi which is a perfect example of Gothic and Islamic architecture. 

Photo of Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace (2011) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

More than 300,000 objects that provide comprehensive information on the development of Georgian theatre, cinema, circus, folklore, opera, and ballet, as well as providing insight into the lives of eminent figures in respective fields.

Photo of Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace (2011) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The 19th-century building hosts one of the most multifaceted and rich museums of Georgia.

Photo of Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace (2011) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The building was designed by a well-known Italian architect of the time, Paul Stern. A three-storey tower, high merlons, beautifully decorated cornice, open terrace, and steep roofing combine to give the building an unusual look which is most uncharacteristic of the architectural style of Tbilisi.

Photo of Prince Constantine Oldenburg (the first owner of the palace) (1890) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The history of the construction adds even more charm to the building. In 1882, German Prince Constantine Oldenburg (1850-1906) met a beautiful Georgian woman Agraphina Japaridze in Kutaisi, Georgia. At the time she was married to Georgian nobleman Dadiani. Prince Oldenburg was so dazzled by woman's beauty that he decided to ignore her marital status and to confess his love for her.

Photo of Agraphina Japaridze (1885) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Prince Oldenburg’s confession turned Agraphina Japaridze's head; she forgot her devotion to her husband. The lovers left Kutaisi and went to settle in Tbilisi. Prince Oldenburg commissioned the building of the beautiful palace for his beloved as a token of his great affection for her.

Photo of Agraphina Japaridze (1892) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Portrait of Agraphina Japharidze (2014) by A. AntanosArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Photo of David Arsenishvili (1927)Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

In 1927 the Museum of Theatre, founded by David Arsenishvili (1905-1963)- a famous Georgian public figure (later appointed as the First Director of the Andrei Rublev Museum in Moscow), was moved to the building. To date this is the only museum of its kind in the Caucasus region and it is one that equals the world's leading museums in the wealth of its collection. The museum contains more than 300,000 objects.

Thanks to the young determined man, who dedicated his whole life to the preservation and revival of cultural heritage, Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography is one of the most important depositaries of cultural objects in Georgia.

Art Palace of GeorgiaArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

COEXISTENCE OF THE PALACE AND THE MUSEUM

Door of Belvedere (1895/1905) by Raphael ArzumanovArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

At present, Art Palace of Georgia leads the artistic scene of the country.

It possesses priceless treasures of Georgian culture and almost all art directions are presented here.

Hall of Columns of the Art Palace (1895/1905) by Raphael ArzumanovArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The museum has seven permanent and two temporary exhibition halls.

Golden Hall of the Art Palace Golden Hall of the Art PalaceArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

What makes the museum-palace even more attractive for the visitors is the tasteful combination of different art patterns which perfectly fit with the medieval interior of the building.

Hall of Music of the Art Palace Hall of Music of the Art PalaceArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The Hall of Music.

Theatre Hall of the Art Palace Theatre Hall of the Art PalaceArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The Hall of Theatre.

Iris Hall of the Art Palace. Iris Hall of the Art Palace. (1895/1905)Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The Hall of Iris.

Europian Hall of the Art Palace of Georgia (1895/1905) by Raphael ArzumanovArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

European hall of the Art Palace represents works by famous European and Georgian artists, such as: Bakst, Benoit, Shervashidze ...

This is a shadow puppet from the Indonesian theatre performance called Wayang. Notably, UNESCO designated the shadow puppet theatre as a masterpiece of oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity. This exact exhibit dates back to XIX c. and is delivered from Indonesia.

The Tower of Love (1895/1905) by Raphael ArzumanovArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

On the ceiling of the Tower of Love, a depiction reflecting the patron of art – Apollo with his muses – has been discovered.

Hall of Nimphs of the Art Palace Hall of Nimphs of the Art PalaceArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The Hall of Nymphs belongs to the historical part of the Art Palace. During the Soviet era. the whole building and especially this part was dramatically damaged by the ‘Bolsheviks’.

Only several years ago, by the support of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, the administration of the museum was able to restore and revive the initial appearance of all historical halls of the Oldenburgs’ palace.

The Fireplace 'Nymph' (1850/1900) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The Fireplace 'Nymph' The Fireplace 'Nymph'Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The 'Nymph' fireplace was made in the second half of the 19th century in ‘Boizenburg ceramic factory’ during the reign of the German emperor - Wilhelm I Hohenzollern.

Lusterweibchen Chandelier Lusterweibchen ChandelierArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The "Lusterweibchen" chandelier

Lusterweibchen Chandelier (1650/1750) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

The chandelier has a horizontal antler fixed with a wooden carved sculpture. The word “Lusterweibchen” refers to the statue while the lamp itself is categorized as horn furniture.

Hall of National Costumes (2015/2016)Art Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

In the Hall of National Attire, a collection of unique historical costumes, worn by Georgian nobility, is on permanent display.

Hall of National Costumes Hall of National CostumesArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

Exhibits include costumes worn by family members of the country's 18th-century King Erekle II and a costume of Georgia's 12th-century ruler Queen Tamar, created according to a fresco of the Queen.

Photo of Georgian State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace (2011) by unknownArt Palace of Georgia - Museum of Cultural History

ART PALACE - AT PRESENT

Art Palace of Georgia organises not only exhibition activities but also pursues scientific activity, including curating and studying archives and publishing catalogues of theatre painters, prominent directors etc. The various educational programs make the life in palace always cheerful, active and inspiring.The museum covers wide range of audience. From school-age children to elder generation, here each visitor can discover something special, interesting and alluring connected with art.

Credits: Story

Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography - Art Palace


George Kalandia
Mary Kharaishvili
Irakli Zambakhidze
Anna Bakuridze
Irina Moistsrapishvili

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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