Искусство Грузии. / Сборник статей. Обложка худ. Учи Джапаридзе. Орнамент худ. С. Чахирьян и худ. А. Мак-Риди.
Москва ; Ленинград : Искусство, 1937.
198 с., ил. Мягкая издательская обложка, формат 21 х 17.5 см. Тираж 5 000 экз.
***
Art of Georgia (Iskusstvo Gruzii). / Collection of essays. Cover design by Ucha Japaridze. Ornaments by S. Chakhyryan and A. Mac-Reedy.
Moscow ; Leningrad : Iskusstvo, 1937.
198 pp., ill. Publisher’s softcover, 21 x 17.5 cm. Print run: 5,000 copies.
This 1937 anthology is a landmark publication in the history of Caucasian art history, released during a pivotal era for the formalization of national artistic identities within the Soviet Union. Published by "Iskusstvo," it remains one of the most significant pre-war efforts to provide a comprehensive survey of Georgian artistic heritage, from ancient architectural monuments to the vibrant theater and painting scenes of the early 20th century.
The visual identity of the book is defined by its cover, created by Ucha Japaridze, a master of Georgian graphics and scenography. His design, complemented by the intricate ornaments of S. Chakhyryan and A. Mac-Reedy, masterfully integrates traditional motifs with the aesthetic sensibilities of the 1930s. Inside, the collection features articles by leading experts on various facets of Georgian culture: medieval frescoes, metalwork, classical architecture, and the contemporary development of the Georgian stage.
Released in a relatively modest print run for the period, copies in good condition have become a significant rarity. The book serves as a vital historical record of the "State of the Art" in Georgia at a time when the classical traditions were being reconciled with the avant-garde and early socialist realism. It is highly sought after by art historians, collectors of Georgian "Rossica," and bibliophiles specializing in high-quality pre-war book design.