Sensational Discovery from a Private Collection!
‘Baia Gallery’ – Art Industry
Private collections and unique works of art.
Baia Gallery is proud to reintroduce to Georgian cultural a previously unknown Orientalist masterpiece by the renowned Georgian artist Gigo Gabashvili, created 132 years ago: ‘Warriors on the Battlefield’.
‘Warriors on the Battlefield’ oil on canvas 29 x 37 cm, 1894, is a remarkable, hitherto unseen example from the formative period of Georgian art- a true ‘painterly bombshell’. The work explodes with vibrant color in a complex multi-figure Orientalist composition, executed with extraordinary attention to detail, with horsemen, atmospheric landscapes, where palpable sense of battle dynamics and unexpected movement fill this small-scale canvas with rich narrative energy. The piece achieves an unparalleled mastery of depicting a battleground scene, with numerous detailed figures, dynamic poses, and textural specificity.
This modest-sized work complements Gabashvili’s grand oeuvre as a restored ornamental motif might enhance a large, richly woven carpet, or a recovered precious stone adds luster to a rare jewel.
Gigo Gabashvili (1862–1936) stands among the pioneers of modern Georgian painting. Educated at the St. Petersburg and Munich Academies of Art he returned to Georgia to become a founding figure and pedagogue at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts in 1922. Gabashvili played a critical role in integrating international artistic currents into Georgian painting from the late 19th century, synthesizing Western influences with a distinctly national style.
A versatile artist with broad vision, Gabashvili embraced contrasting directions-realism and, intriguingly, symbolism. As a master painter and graphic improviser of the highest museum caliber, he conveyed multi-figure and landscape compositions with equal skill across large and small formats. Monumental figures and delicate details alike resonate with expressive vitality in his work. His painted world is colorful, vivid, and deeply meaningful, reflecting the unique cultural crossroads of contemporary Georgia- a blend of Western and Eastern allure.
Despite its 132-year history, the painting’s condition remains exceptionally good, with the entire painted surface preserved intact. Restorer Oliko Khachidze carefully cleaned the work, extended the canvas edges, and remounted it on a new stretcher.
Currently held in the Baia Gallery’s collection, “Warriors on the Battlefield” continues its artistic journey and awaits its public debut, with exhibition details to be announced in due course.
Gabashvili was a prolific traveler who lived and worked abroad. Many of his works reside in the Georgian National Museum, while others are dispersed in private collections worldwide. According to research, approximately 270 of his paintings and 250 graphic works have been documented, although some remain unlocated. This makes every discovery in private collections of immense cultural significance.
Notably, in 2006, Gabashvili’s 1895 oil painting ‘The Bazaar in Samarkand’ (80.6 x 160 cm) was sold at Christie’s New York for $1,136,000. This piece was part of the collection of Charles Richard Crane, the American ambassador to China (1920–1921), who, as an Arabist and traveler to the Caucasus, met Gabashvili in 1891. Funded by Crane, in 1894 Gabashvili journeyed to Samarkand and Bukhara, producing multiple works. This auction featured two important pieces from this period: ‘The Bazaar in Samarkand’, ‘Lab-i-Hauz in Bukhara’ and one battle scene “A Military Encampment in the Caucasus,” all sold successfully. Most probably, this newly discovered work is part of this series which definitely increases its investment and artistic value.
www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-469594
Baia Gallery – 33 Years since establishment
One of Baia Gallery’s core missions is research and presentation of private collections and cultural heritage. The gallery’s history includes numerous important discoveries, all documented in our database, website, and social media channels.
Text: Baia Tsikoridze, Mariam Chirgadze
Photo/Video: Nato Shushania
Restoration: Oliko Khachidze