In Georgia, 2010 was declared to be the year of Nico Pirosmani. Various arrangements held with sincere participation of people were evidence of high interest in this outstanding person. For Georgia Pirosmani is not only a great artist. He is a phenomenon, a face of Georgian identity. His life is an example of national life style and values.
The history of art knows many misunderstood geniuses who died ingloriously. However, Pirasmani is a unique person, as he thought that his fate is logical and natural. He didn't realize the depth of his own works. He didn't realize that he was a genius. He never blamed his fate, even when he died of starvation in his small shabby room near the Tbilisi railway station. He was a simple and naive man, a peasant with God blessing talent.
We don't know exact date of his birth (about 1862) and date of his death (about 1918). We don't know where his grave is. Nikoloz Pirosmanishvili was born in a family of farmers in east Georgia. When he was a child he used to draw a lot. When he moved to Tbilisi, he worked as a decorator of pubs. The Zdanevich brothers noticed his works. Thanks to them Georgia discovered the talent of Pirosmani.
After his death, in 1918 Zdanevichi exhibited Pirosmani's works in Tbilisi. In the middle of 1950s his paintings saw not only Georgia and Russia, but also various countries of the world. Pirosmani himself would hardly believe that his "Feast of princes on grass" wold be exhibited in London or Paris.
Pirosmani's power is in inner truth, huge expression and ability to show a character by only one shade of a colour. The colour scheme of his works is harsh. Pirosmani didn't like bright and varied colours. He had never been taught how to paint, but his works are perfect.
In 1995 the problem of designing new Georgian currency was under discussion. Many suggested to picture Pirosmani on 50 or 100 lari. However, his colleagues suggested to picture Nikala on 1 lari, the smallest and most available currency.
Nico Pirosmani died in about 1918. At the end of his life he lived in a small vault, but he also invited his friends to come to him, promising: "We'll drink tea and talk about art."
Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for VK.
