Pyotr Bletkin

Peter M. Bletkin (Georgian: ბლიოტკინი პეტრე, Russian: Пётр Михайлович Блеткин); (20.6.1903 — 4.2.1988) — famous Soviet and Georgian painter and graphic artist. Honored Artist of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1961).

Bletkin was born in Tbilisi (Tiflis) on June 20, 1903. In 1915, Bletkin started his education in painting at the School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture at the Imperial Academy of Arts was found in Tiflis after the visit of famous Russian artists – K. Makovsky and I. Repin. During the first year after opening the school was directed by famous artist and illustrator A. Kandaurov. Since 1902 up to 1917, the school had been headed by well-known graphic artist and painter O. Shmerling. In 1923, Peter Bletkin entered the Tbilisi Academy of Arts. In 1929, Peter M. Bletkin graduated from Tbilisi State Academy of Art, specialty – painter. From 1928 to 1932 he worked at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet as decorator. In 1932 he joined the Union of Artists of Georgia. In 1958, for their work the artist was awarded "Badge of Honor". In 1961 P. Bletkin was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Peter M. Bletkin died in February 1988 at the age of 84 and is buried in the Pantheon Muhadverdi.