The material tells about Zurab Tsereteli, an artist whose energy, bold experimentation and unusual vision let him unite almost all forms and genres of visual art in his work. The article highlights his large projects, from the 1980 Olympics and the Poklonnaya Hill memorial to the restoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, as well as works adorning cities in Russia and many countries. It also focuses on Tsereteli's meetings with Picasso, Chagall, Dalí and other great masters who influenced his path.

The strength of character and astonishing energy, the boldness of an experimenter and an unexpected artistic vision make up the portrait of Zurab Tsereteli – a master who, through his creative pursuits, managed to unite literally all forms, genres, and techniques of the visual arts.

At different times, Zurab Tsereteli headed the largest-scale artistic projects. In 1970-1980, he was the chief artist of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs; in 1980, the chief artist of the Moscow Olympic Games; in 1995, the artistic director of the construction of the memorial complex on Poklonnaya Hill (Moscow); and since 1995, the chief artist for the restoration of the interior decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

The multifaceted talent of this outstanding artist of our time was manifested in large-scale architectural and sculptural complexes, majestic monuments and noble memorials, mosaics, stained glass, reliefs and round sculpture, painting, graphics, and enamel.

The artist’s unique works, created in various forms of visual art, adorn the streets and squares, government and public buildings of Moscow, other cities of Russia, CIS countries, and many foreign states, including the USA, Japan, Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Israel, Syria, Uruguay, and others.

In his vivid life, rich with events and encounters, Zurab Tsereteli was fortunate to know and work with many famous people. Meetings with David Alfaro Siqueiros, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dalí, and Kenzo Tange were of enormous significance. “I see in him a future great painter,” Picasso said of his impressions after meeting Zurab Tsereteli. “He has a wonderful sense of color and generalizes form.” The artist had the chance to travel almost all over the world. In many countries, he installed his works and decorated numerous Russian embassies and missions.

Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk Regional Art Museum