Tinatin Khoshtaria – Wall Paintings of Motsameta

Article 2, Inferno Volume IX, 2004

The Wall Painting of the Chapel-martyrium Motsameta in theRock–cut Monastery Complex

of Udabno David–Gareji.

By Dr Tinatin Khoshtaria

Georgian monument painting spans more than fifteen centuries. At different stages of its development throughout the centuries various artschools have emerged in different Georgian regions. Despite the fact that all of these schools had much in common, each bore its own individual stamp. One such school was set up in Kakheti, in the eastern province of Georgia. The David-Gareji Desert served as a centre for this school. A distinctive feature of this school was compositional simplicity and bright colors. Here severe asceticism was blended with humanism. Icons of national saints like St. David, as well as the miraculous Holy deeds accomplished by this Saint, dominate David–Gareji painting.

Full Text: Tinatin Khoshtaria – Wall Paintings of Motsameta (pdf)