Tbilisi Art Gallery, Tbilisi

The Tbilisi Art Gallery, also known as the National Gallery, is an art gallery situated on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. It has a historical significance to the locals, who used to call it the Blue Gallery due to its blue-green painted facade, although it has now been painted gray.

The origins of the National Art Gallery can be traced back to the late 19th century. It was established thanks to the efforts of Dimitri Shevardnadze, a renowned Georgian artist, and public figure. The building itself was constructed in 1888 under the decision of the Russian emperor and housed the Russian Military Historical Museum as well as a hall of fame.

The Art Gallery held its first exhibition in October 1920. Initially, its exhibition policy focused on showcasing the works of Georgian and foreign artists, spanning various art periods and styles that were considered valuable or relevant to Georgia.

The gallery building was originally intended to house the mibadzvitaa (a type of exhibition space). Its facade facing Rustaveli Avenue is intricately decorated in the Baroque style, with the entrance located at the center. The two rooms within the gallery feature glass ceilings, allowing natural sunlight to illuminate the space.

In 2007, the Tbilisi Art Gallery became part of the National Museum of Georgia. Extensive reconstruction of the gallery building was undertaken, resulting in improvements to the central facade and exhibition area. The expansion also involved the creation of additional gallery space through landscaping. The renovated gallery now consists of eight rooms, a restoration laboratory, storage facilities for temporary exhibitions, a training area, and a public shop.

On November 7, 2006, the Tbilisi Art Gallery was officially designated as a Monument of National Importance in Georgia, according to a decree issued by the President of Georgia.