Around 10,000 exhibits of over 300 Georgian artists reveal to us the evolution of Georgian scenic design. The Depository of Fine Arts contains portraits of theatre actors and directors, sketches of stage decorations and costumes, graphic compositions, Persian miniatures, French and German engravings, and color lithographs. Artistic and literary life in Tbilisi was vibrant in 1918-1921 during the period of Georgian independence. Tbilisi, the capital city, became the hub for immigrant artists, poets and musicians from Russia. They established an excellent relationship with local artists and the literary group of Georgian symbolist poets Tsisperkantselebi (The Blue Horns), contributing to the cultural life of the city and making it more diverse and exciting. From 1922 to 1933, Georgian theatre enjoyed a revival. Kote Marjanishvili, an innovative Georgian theatre director, returned to Tbilisi after time away and became an important contributor to the evolution of the Georgian stage and scenic design, allowing set designers to demonstrate fully their vision and skills. And so the individuality of Georgian modernist painting became reflected perfectly within theatre design. The collection of the depository comprises works of great artists such as: Petre Otskheli, Irakli Gamrkeli, Kiril Zdanevich, Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani, David Kakabadze, Tamar Abakelia, Sergo Kobuladze, Solomon Virsaladze, Ivane Askurava, Irakli Doidze, Tamar and Dimitri Tavadzes, Nikoloz Kazbegi, Parna Lapiashvili, Revaz and Tengiz Mirzashvili, Vladimir and Mamia Malazonia, Giorgi Meskhishvili, Giorgi Ninua, Teimuraz Murvanidze, and Teimuraz Ninua, each of whom made a positive contribution to the evolution of Georgian scenic design and fine arts. Besides Georgian artists, the depository also keeps works of Russian, Armenian, Azeri, and other foreign artists, as well as works of representatives of the Russian Silver Age World of Art (founded in the early 20th century in St. Petersburg): Konstantin Korovin, Lev Bakst, Alexander Benua, Alexander Golovin, and Viktor Simov.
