“King’s Painter” Tevdore and his inscriptions

A study of the inscriptions by 'King’s Painter' Tevdore in three churches of Upper Svaneti, dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, reveals his elevated status tied to monarchic power. The analysis of textual and visual data shows that Tevdore’s title and spatial placement of inscriptions were strategic, aiming to extend 'royal presence' in this highland region of Georgia. This research provides insights into the social hierarchy and political context of medieval Svaneti, highlighting how artistic embellishment served as a tool for asserting authority. The study combines epigraphic analysis with an examination of spatial constructs to evaluate Tevdore’s role within the broader societal framework.

Chichinadze, N. (2018). “King’s Painter” Tevdore and his inscriptions. Zograf, (42), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.2298/zog1842025c