The artist Vasily Tsereteli called the death of his grandfather a loss for the whole world.

The death of muralist, sculptor, president of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli has become a loss for the whole world, his grandson, artist Vasily Tsereteli, told Izvestia on April 22.

"First of all, I want to express my condolences to all the residents of our country, all the artists, all the friends and cultural figures who loved Zurab Konstantinovich Tsereteli — this is the whole country, the whole world. Zurab Konstantinovich was a world—class artist," said the grandson of the master.

Vasily Tsereteli stressed that his grandfather left a huge legacy and made a huge contribution to the culture of the Soviet states, Georgia and Russia.

"His sculptures are the property and symbols of many, many states, and they are a memory. His monument "Tear of Sorrow" [in the United States], dedicated to September 11, unites humanity around the world, which remembers the tragedy of terrorism," the artist said.

According to Tsereteli's grandson, his grandfather was a real man, a father and a teacher. A person from whom you can learn how to be a true patriot and citizen, which is a very important mission.

"Zurab Konstantinovich has been in his workshop in Peredelkino in recent days. He painted until the last moment, and then his heart stopped in a dream, and he passed away. But he was in the ranks until the last moment and led the academy," Tsereteli said.

Monument of the epoch: Zurab Tsereteli died

The President of the Russian Academy of Arts considered both Russia and Georgia to be his homeland.

The death of muralist, sculptor and President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli became known earlier that day. He was 91 years old. His assistant Sergey Shagulashvili told Izvestia that the sculptor died of cardiac arrest in his studio at home.

In addition, Russian sculptor Andrey Korobtsov said that Tsereteli made a significant contribution to Russian art and he will be remembered. Nikolai Tsiskaridze, People's Artist of Russia, rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, called the sculptor's death sad news.