“The world’s most beautiful woman” – A Georgian artist’s painting estimated at a million dollars

“This piece of Roman Kriheli’s work may get sold for as much as $1 million. The list of people who would like to buy it includes founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Youtube Chad Hurley and Prime Minister of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili.”

News snippets such as this one about the painting by a Georgian artist who made a name for himself in America started appearing in the media as far back as in 2012, but vanished as quickly as they emerged. What fate has befallen the painting in question? In order to find out, we contacted the artist himself:

– Mr. Kriheli, about two years ago there were rumors that you were going to put your work named “The world’s most beautiful woman” on auction and that Bidzina Ivanishvili and Roman Abramovich were among prospective buyers. People said that your painting was going to be sold for $1 million. What happened to all of this?

– The picture has already been sold; however, thanks to the buyer’s goodwill, it frequently gets exhibited at art galleries in various countries – for example, it spent eight months in the house of the Qatari Emir. Later, it was moved to Florida and then to New York, where it is currently exhibited. There are plans to take the painting to Europe afterwards; it might get exhibited in Russia as well.

– Who bought the painting?

– My apologies, but I have a non-disclosure agreement with the buyer.

– What about the price of the painting? Was it really sold for a million dollars?

– For much more, in fact. But again, I do not have the right to disclose the exact price or the buyer’s identity.

– Was Bidzina Ivanishvili really listed among potential buyers?

– I don’t know. After the painting was sold, I read in the newspapers that he wanted to buy it, and was quite gladdened by the news. Even now there are people who wish to obtain the painting; one of them came to the Florida exhibition with an offer. It was a rather famous inpidual, but he also wanted to buy the painting anonymously.

– It was said that this painting was inspired by Dasha Zhukova, wife of Roman Abramovich. Is this true?

– My work was not inspired by any single person. I have to admit, I incorporated certain features of Dasha’s appearance into the painting, but it is an abstract portrait nevertheless. As for Dasha herself, I met her in New York and she is truly is a very attractive woman.

– You studied in Georgia, didn’t you? Tell us more.

– I came back to Georgia in 2011 together with my brother. I was very excited to see my homeland after 37 years of absence and happy to see Tbilisi so wonderfully transformed. I have many childhood memories of this city. I wanted to leave it something to remember me by, so I gifted one of my works to Georgia’s National Museum. I am also thinking of visiting again and holding an exhibition there.

– And finally, could you tell us what it feels like to have your work valued so highly and elicit so much interest?

– I don’t chase money or fame, but that’s how the world works today. One might create a masterpiece and no one would notice and a simple drawing by another might result in worldwide attention. My thoughts, however, lie only with art.

Author: Manana Gabrichidze