D. ERMAKOV’S LETTERS TO COUNTESS PRASKOVIA UVAROVA

Abstract

Dimitri Ermakov’s facsimile letters to Prascovia Uvarova, the chairperson of “Moscow Imperial Archaeological Society” reflect business relationship between the photographer and the “Archaeological Society”. Already from 1880, Dimitri Ermakov had taken photos of historical and archaeological artifacts for the “archaeological Society” through a famous historian and archaeologist Dimitri Bakradze, and since 1892 D. Ermakov continued work for the Society directly under the guidance of Countess Praskovia Uvarova. Ermakov repots P. Uvarova, with the punctuality characteristic of him, about the carried out photographic work and its financial aspects. Some of the information relates to the details photographing such unique as Okoni Icon, Tbeti and Adishi Gospels. The letters also narrate about the historical and architectural monuments of Tbilisi and Mtskheta. The relationship between Dimitri Ermakov and the prominent scientist, the founder and president of the Georgian Historical and Ethnographical Society, Eqvtime Takaishvili is expansively reflected, especially during their fabled expedition in 1910. The reader will also encounter the information about other scientist in the letters too – like the well-known linguist and Caucasiologist, Lev Lopatinski, who had been an irreplaceable leader of the Georgian Department of the Moscow Imperial Archaeological Society. Just like, more members of the same Society – Lev Stanishevski, Simon Kldiashvili; also, a painter and photographer, Iuli Strume. The originals of the letters are retained at the Moscow State Museum and their microfilms are at the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia. The given letters represent an important source for the researchers of Dimitri Ermakov’s works as well as the interested parties.