Mamia Malazonia

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Description

Mamia Malazonia
Knight in a Panther's Skin: (i) Story of the King of Arabia, Rostevan (ii) Story of Tariel falling in love (iii) Story of Avtandil visiting Gulansharo (iv) Story of Nestan- Darejan being kidnapped
each: signed with initials and dated 2007; signed, titled, inscribed and dated 2007 on the backing board
gouache, pastel and pencil on cardboard, in four parts
each: 58.4 by 84.5cm.; 23 by 33 1/4 in.

Provenance

TBC Art Gallery, Tbilisi

Exhibited

Tbilisi, TBC Art Gallery, Mamia Malazonia, 2012, n.p., illustrated in colour

Catalogue Note

The Knight in the Panther’s Skin is a 12th century epic poem written by Shota Rustaveli. The story unfolds in Arabia, where the king Rostevan decides to enthrone his daughter, Tinatin. Tinatin asks Avtandil, a nobleman in love with her, to prove his devotion and help the knight in the panther’s skin, Tariel. Tariel is grieving his kidnapped bride, Nestan-Darejan, a daughter of the king of India. Together Avtandil and Tariel embark on an adventure to find the princess, culminating in the two marriages. The poem revolves around Christian neo-Platonist ideals and displays a remarkable knowledge of astronomy, geography, science and mathematics. Highly acclaimed for its beautiful writing and its philosophical value, every Georgian bride has a copy of the book in her dowry.