Visualised imperialism and national identity. Some examples of the church painting in Georgia between 1801 and 1918

Abstract

In different periods, Christian wall paintings have visualised various attitudes towards programmes, images and iconographies that were closely linked with the religious identities of communities. Following the emergence of nationalism in Georgia in the mid-19th century, wall paintings of this period also began to respond to national identity. The chronological limits of this article are determined by crucial events in the history of the country, such as the conquest of East Georgia by the Russian Empire in 1801 and the proclamation of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918. Between these two events, a number of church paintings was created throughout Georgia. Some of them fully intended to promote the Russian imperial identity and served to consolidate the power of the Empire over the conquered country. While others, reflected the ideas and aspirations of Georgian nationalism. They are very different from the medieval examples displaying a growing interest in national saints and the events of Christian Georgian history. This paper is focused on the most significant examples.