The Knight in the Panther's Skin
That year he also visited Tbilisi, Caucasus Viceroyalty (today Georgia). He was commissioned to illustrate the Georgian epic poem, "The Knight in the Panther's Skin", at the request of intelligentsia of the country. He painted 35 pictures in total. The publishing commission of the work of "The Knight in the Panther's Skin" chose 27 pictures to be included in the publication. The painter refused to take payment for the works, because he was so moved by the original poem. Instead, he gave his works to the Georgian people.