Aleksandr Sharvashidze

Aleksandr Chachba-Sharvashidze, a portrait by Vladimir Rossinsky, 1913.

Aleksandr Konstantinovich Chachba-Sharvashidze (Georgian: ალექსანდრე კონსტანტინის ძე შარვაშიძე, Abkhaz: Алеқсандр Константин-иҧа Чачба-Шарвашиӡе, 1867–1968) was a painter from the Russian Empire and member of the Chachba- Sharvashidze princely dynasty of Abkhazia. He was the grandson of the Abkhazian ruler Sefer Ali-Bey.[1] His father Constantine was part of the 1832 conspiracy of Georgian nobility against Russian rule. Following the death of his cousin, Giorgi Sharvashidze in 1918, Alexander was the locum tenens of the Abkhazian throne.

From 1907 until 1918 Sharvashidze worked a scenographer at the Saint Petersburg Mariinsky and Alexandrinsky theatres. He co-operated with Alexandre Benois, Aleksandr Golovin, Valentin Serov and Pablo Picasso.[2] He requested for all his work to be left to Georgia after his death.

After the Russian Revolution, Sharvashidze went into exile in France. He died on 17 August 1968 at the age of 101 in the hostel for the elderly in Monaco, and was buried at the Russian cemetery in Nice. On 12 May 1985, Sharvashidze was ceremonially reburied in the centre of the Abkhazian capital Sukhumi.[3] On 24 December 2013, a monument was unveiled on his grave.[4]

On 21 January 2024, the Central Exhibition Hall,[5] in Sukhumi, which stored precious artworks from Abkhazia's National Art Gallery, burned down, resulting in the tragic loss of over four thousand artworks, including up to 300 pieces by Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze.[6]


See also

References

  1. ^ Шервашидзе - страница 7 - Центр генеалогических исследований
  2. ^ "On November 16, 2009 the Bank of Abkhazia issues a silver coin "Александр Чачба" (Aleksandr Chachba) of 10 apsars denomination of the series "Outstanding Personalities of Abkhazia" dedicated to Aleksandr Konstantinovich Chachba". National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  3. ^ В Санкт-Петербурге завершилась выставка "В Петербурге мы сойдемся снова…". (in Russian). Администрация Президента Республики Абхазия. 31 March 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "В центре Сухума, на могиле художника Александра Шервашидзе-Чачба установили памятник". Apsnyprss. 24 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Irresponsibility and Neglect: The Tragedy of Abkhazia's National Art Gallery". AbkhazWorld. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Major Fire Devastates Central Exhibition Hall in Sukhum". AbkhazWorld. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
Aleksandr Sharvashidze
Titles in pretence
Preceded by — TITULAR —
Prince of Abkhazia
1918–1968
Reason for succession failure:
Principality incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1866
Succeeded by