Gagarin Grigory

Gagarin Grigory (1810-1893), Russian painter, architect, art researcher, Vice President of the Petersburg Art Academy (1859 – 72), was born in Petersburg. For a while, he studied under Karl Bryulov in Rome. In 1841 – 64 he served in the army; participated in the Caucasian wars. During that period he became close to the family of Alexandre Chavchavadze and Georgian nobility. In 1848 – 1854 he lived in Tbilisi and took active part in the cultural life of Georgia. He painted the walls of Sioni Temple and renovated its iconostasis; G. Gagarin decorated the new theater, located within the premises of Qarvasla (caravansaray) and in 1851 he painted its curtain (in 1874 fire destroyed the Qarvasla and the theater). He also designed the scenery and costumes for the first Georgian dramas (Divorce and Dispute by G. Eristavi). Under his guidance and with his direct participation the Betania Temple was refurbished, cleaned and its frescos were secured. G. Gagarin painted the portraits of Georgian aristocracy (Davit Chavchavadze, Maiko Orbeliani, Marta Sologashvili, Mariam Palavandishvili and others); he created cityscapes of the 19th century Tbilisi, scenes of everyday life, pictures of architectural monuments, sketches of ornamental patterns, types of Georgians and their costumes; His albums Picturesque Caucasus and Caucasian Costumes, published in Paris, gained the interest of the public. Most of his Caucasian pictures and sketches were posthumously published in Petersburg.

Grigory Gagarin died in Châtellerault, France. He is buried in Suchki village (current Tver Region, Russia).