David Sarajishvili

David Sarajishvili (1848–1911), after graduating from the First Classical Gymnasium, continued his studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of St. Petersburg. In 1871 he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. During the following years he studied agriculture, and in 1878–1879 specialized in viticulture and wine-making in France.

In 1888 Sarajishvili became the first to establish brandy production in Georgia. The products of his enterprise were repeatedly awarded at various international exhibitions.

He introduced significant social innovations within his enterprise, including the establishment of a mutual aid fund, a Sunday school, and a library. He implemented an eight-hour working day and introduced workers’ insurance — progressive reforms for that period.

Sarajishvili was actively involved in public life and widely known for his philanthropy. He provided financial support to theaters, museums, publishing initiatives, university construction, and student scholarships. With his assistance, many notable Georgian cultural figures were able to study in Russia and abroad, including composers Dmitri Arakishvili, Meliton Balanchivadze, and Ia Kargareteli; painters Gigo Gabashvili and Mose Toidze; sculptor Jacob Nicoladze; singer Vano Sarajishvili, and many others.

The selected photographs in this collection partly represent the life and activities of this distinguished public figure and industrial pioneer.