(Nikolai Aslanovich Pirosmanashvili)
Born 1862, Georgian village – died 1918, Tiflis (now Tbilisi).
Painter.
Signboard for a Wine Shop.
Oil on tin-plate, 47x140 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Signboard for a Pub at Zakataly.
Oil on oil-cloth, 92x120 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Signboard. (tea, lemonade, beer and liquor drinks).
Oil on tin-plate, 140x72 cm. Private collection, Moscow.
Portrait of Alexander Garanov. 1906.
Oil on oil-cloth, 109x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Feast with Organ-Grinder Datiko Zemel.
1906.
Oil on oil-cloth, 106x198 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
The Russian-Japanese War. 1906.
Oil on oil-cloth, 107x157 cm. Private collection, Moscow.
A Family Celebration.
Oil on oil-cloth, 115x180 cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
A Large Marani in
the Forest.
Oil on tin-plate, 100x170 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Firewood Seller.
Oil on oil-cloth, 111x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Boy Delivering Lunch.
Oil on oil-cloth, 82x48 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Fisherman.
Oil on oil-cloth, 113x93 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Janitor.
Oil on oil-cloth, 102x135 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Tatar Cameleer.
Oil on cardboard, 100x99 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Tatar Fruit-Seller.
Oil on cardboard, 106x78 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Still Life.
Oil on oil-cloth, 35x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Kakhetian Epos (Alasan Valley).
Oil on oil-cloth, 91x539 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Arsenal Mountain at Night.
Oil on oil-cloth, 113 x91 cm. Private collection, Moscow.
Batumi.
Oil on oil-cloth, 92x117 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Beauty from Ortachaly. Diptych.
Oil on oil-cloth, 52x117 cm each. The State Museum of Fine Arts
of Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Beauty from Ortachaly with a Fan.
Oil on oil-cloth, 109x49 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Belyi Dukhan (The White Restaurant).
Oil on oil-cloth, 49 x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Woman with a Beer Mug.
Oil on oil-cloth, 114x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Lady with Flowers and a Parasol.
Oil on oil-cloth, 111x52 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Still Life with a Sugar Loaf.
Oil on tin-plate, 40x52 cm. Private Collection.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Chef de Cuisine.
Oil on oil-cloth, 106x46 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Still-Life.
Oil on tin-plate, 36x73 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Donkey Bridge.
Oil on oil-cloth, 93x117 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Feast in the Grape Pergola.
Oil on oil-cloth, 140x114 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Sarkis Pouring Wine.
Oil on oil-cloth, 92x101 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Feast Next to a Two-Story House (Extant part
of a Picture).
Oil on oil-cloth, 49x74 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Porter with a Wineskin. Porter with a
Barrel. Diptych.
Oil on oil-cloth, 51x34 cm each. The State Museum of Fine Arts
of Georgia, Tbilisi.
Georgian Woman with a Tambourine.
Oil on oil-cloth, 110x89 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
The Feast of Five Princes. 1906.
Oil on oil-cloth, 105x195 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Feast at Gvimradze's.
Oil on oil-cloth, 123x210 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Actress Marguérite.
Oil on oil-cloth, 117x94 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Scenes from the Play "Brother and
Sister" by V.Guniya.
Oil on oil-cloth, 122x102 cm each. Private collection, Tbilisi.
An Organ-Grinder.
Oil on oil-cloth, 107x47 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Feast of Three Townsmen, Set in a Forest.
Oil on oil-cloth, 117x117 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Festival on the Tzkhenis-tzkaly River.
Oil on oil-cloth, 112x197 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Six-Scene Panel.
Oil on oil-cloth, 180x380 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Hunting Scene with a View of the Black
Sea. 1912.
Oil on oil-cloth, 105x358 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Deer.
Oil on oil-cloth, 138x112 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Doe against Landscape (Stag). 1913.
Oil on oil-cloth, 99x72 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Doe Walking.
Oil on cardboard, 68x82 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
St. George the Anchorite.
Oil on oil-cloth, 118x89 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Woman Carrying Easter Eggs (Extant part of the Painting).
Oil on cardboard, 54x54 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Lamb and a Laden Easter Table with Angels Flying in the
Background.
Oil on oil-cloth, 80x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
God's Lamb.
Oil on oil-cloth, 55x61 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Little Girl with a Patterned Balloon.
Oil on cardboard, 65x41 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Little Boy Riding a Donkey.
Oil on oil-cloth, 99x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Little Girl with a Balloon.
Oil on cardboard, 75x55 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
The Kinto's Son.
Oil on oil-cloth, 77x38 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Public Prayer in a Village.
Oil on cardboard, 79x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Church Feast in Kartly (Central Georgia).
Oil on oil-cloth, 113 x212 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
The Ferry at Didubeh.
Oil on oil-cloth, 105x198 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
The Tiflis (Tbilisi) Funicular.
Oil on oil-cloth, 112x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Two Georgians at Marani.
Oil on oil-cloth, 107x210 cm. Private collection, Moscow.
Feast at Vintage Time.
Oil on oil-cloth, 105x349 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Shamil with a Bodyguard.
Oil on oil-cloth, 112x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Sheteh Helps Prince Bariatinsky to
Apprehend Shamil.
Oil on oil-cloth, 113x89 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Physician Riding a Donkey.
Oil on cardboard, 89x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Nurse with a Baby.
Oil on oil-cloth, 109x78 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Threshing Floor in the Country.
Oil on cardboard, 80x100 cm. The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
White Sow with Piglets.
Oil on cardboard, 80x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
A Ram.
Oil on oil-cloth, 49x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Cock, a Hen and Chicks.
Oil on oil-cloth, 66.6x77 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Woman Milking a Cow.
Oil on cardboard, 81x100 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Peasant with His Grandson.
Oil on oil-cloth, 75x56 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Peasant Woman with Children Going to Fetch
Water. .
Oil on oil-cloth, 111x92 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
A Peasant Woman with Her Son.
Oil on oil-cloth, 75x56 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Shepherd with His Flock.
Oil on oil-cloth, 110x138 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Robber with a Stolen Horse.
Oil on oil-cloth, 112x90 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Robbers Getting Ready for a Raid.
Oil on oil-cloth, 113x89 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Wedding in the Old-Time Georgia. 1916.
Oil on oil-cloth, 112x197 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
A Bear on Moonlit Night.
Oil on oil-cloth, 100x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
An Eagle with a Captured Hare.
Oil on oil-cloth, 100x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Family of Deer. 1917.
Oil on cardboard, 95x145 cm. Private collection, Tbilisi.
Giraffe.
Oil on oil-cloth, 138x112 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Sitting Yellow Lion.
Oil on cardboard, 99x80 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Polar Bear with Cubs. 1917.
Oil on cardboard, 100x140 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Roes by the Spring.
Oil on cardboard, 76x98 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
A Wild Boar.
Oil on oil-cloth, 55x74 cm. The State Museum of Fine Arts of
Georgia, Tbilisi.
Paintings Biography Top of Page
Biography:Niko Pirosmani occupies a special place in the history of Georgian culture and in the art world. Pirosmani has independently created his own manner of painting. His work is based on his spontaneous vivid and sharp vision of the world around him and on a subtle and sincere interpretation of life. This is essentially different from merely copying nature. He was a great draftsman, and although his pictures were somewhat schematic, he was conscious of pure form. His palette consisted of primary colors in harmonious if contrasting combinations. Due to the artist’s talent and endeavors we can see personalities characteristic for old Georgia, vivid and typical for old Tbilisi and Kakhetian village life, animals and still life.
He was born in 1862 in Kakhetia, in the small village of Mirzaani to peasant parents. They had died when he was very young, and his sisters took him to Tbilisi (then Tiflis), where they have become servants. When Nico’s elder sister died, he and his younger sister had to go back to their native village. Niko worked as a shepherd and his sister had kept house.
He has taught himself to read. To paint he has also taught himself. His thirst for knowledge has made him leave his village and return to Tbilisi. But insecurity and the necessity to earn his living by hard manual labor prevented him from going ahead with his self-education. He has worked on railways for some time, but later had to give this up because of his poor health. For a while he ran a dairy shop, but like all his other business undertakings, it has failed.
Even when he was a small boy, paintings had fascinated him. He loved watching sign-painters painting signboards and murals for tavern and inns.
He has taught himself to paint signboards, found clients and together with a painter, G.Zaziashvili, opened a painting business (1882). But he was a poor businessman and was soon forced to close the shop.
As a traveling artist, with brushes and paints he wandered from tavern to tavern, from one inn to another, painting his pictures and signboards on oil-cloth (usually he chose black oil-cloth), cardboard, tin-plate or any material he could get hold of, and sometimes painting murals.
Pirosmanashvili was proud, he never complained, never turned to anybody for help, though all his life he has lived in poverty.
In 1912 the poet Ilya Zdanevich and two students of the Academy of Arts Kirill Zdanevich, brother of the poet, and Mikhail Le Dantiu became interested in the works of Pirosmanashvili and started collecting his paintings. M.Larionov included Pirosmani's works in the exhibition “Target” of the Jack of Diamond group (1913). Ilya Zdanevich’s published newspaper articles, diary notes (which he published in Paris) and organized exhibitions in Moscow, St.Petersburg and Paris. But Pirosmanashvili himself never moved from Georgia.
Gradually the public began to show real interest in Pirosmani’s art. The manager of the Georgian National Gallery has collected in a short time the main paintings of this remarkable artist, and they are presented in the collection of the State Museum of Fine Arts of the Georgian Republic. The Museum possesses almost all of Pirosmani’s works, except for the few paintings in private collections.
The Society of Georgian Painters founded in 1916 invited Pirosmanashvili to attend one of it first meetings. Its members showed interest in Pirosmani as a person and in his paintings. His portrait and articles devoted to him appeared in a Georgian newspaper. The Society instructed a painter Lado Gudiashvili to help Pirosmani out of his financial difficulties. Once the artist has come to a meeting, but unfortunately he did not get along with the Society. And the reason was that the same newspaper which had published a favorable article about the work of Pirosmani, has also published a cartoon of him. Later he always avoided meeting painters.
The artists died as he lived, impoverished, lonely and unwanted, on May 1918. His burial place is unknown.