The Fondation Beyeler Spotlights the Practice of the Legendary Georgian Painter Niko Pirosmani

It is quite rare that information about an artist from the 20th century is scarce, yet when looking at the life and career of painter Niko Pirosmani, not much is known. This is a remarkable fact, as he is considered one of the finest Georgian artists, who has left behind a rich body of work that is exceptional in its representation of the life and customs of his home country.

The Fondation Beyeler has just opened the largest international exhibition dedicated to Pirosmani, with around 50 of his works. Organized in collaboration with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Humlebæk and the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi, it offers a rare glimpse into the mystery behind one of the finest artists whose work is seen as an influential precursor of modern art.

A Beloved Georgian Artist

Nikoláy Aslánovich Pirosmanashvíli (1862 – 1918) rose to international fame posthumously. Not much is known about his life as he chose a life of obscurity, refusing to step into the limelight. Pirosmani, who left his village young, managed to receive an education thanks to a rich family that supported him. He taught himself to paint and, by working a string of odd jobs, managed to earn just enough for art materials. Some of his first commissions were painting advertisements for local businesses, where he learned how to paint quickly. The genius of those jobs was that all his work was displayed in public for anybody to see.

It was in a tavern in Tbilisi that Georgian avant-garde artists Kirill and Ilya Zdanevich discovered his work in 1912 and immediately started collecting it. Pirosmani's work was shown at the major group exhibition Target in Moscow, which earned him international fame.

A Body of Work Shrouded in Mystery

Pirosmani's lack of formal training meant he had complete freedom to experiment and push boundaries, which led him to create his own signature style that immediately set him apart from other artists. What made him beloved by all in his country was the detailed way he captured the Georgian heritage, experience, and lifestyle of the time.

While for commissions, he painted a lot of still lifes of dishes and ingredients, other work included animals, feasts, and celebrations. His art had a peculiar quality of stillness, which added a deeper, spiritual dimension. Likewise, he always strived to depict people and animals with rarely seen dignity and tenderness.

Niko Pirosmani at Fondation Beyeler

Today, very little is known about Niko Pirosmani's life. Likewise, what remains of his work is shrouded in mystery as there is no information about their inspirations, meaning, commissions, buyers, or creation dates. Even though we do not know the artist's goals or intentions behind his artworks, they remain one of the most human depictions of existence itself. The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive catalog edited by guest curator Daniel Baumann. Renowned contemporary artists Thea Djordjadze and Andro Wekua have been invited to offer their own contributions to the presentation of Pirosmani's works in Basel.

The exhibition Niko Pirosmani at Fondation Beyeler in Basel will be on view until January 28th, 2024.

Featured image: Niko Pirosmani - Still Life. 292 x 214cm / Niko Pirosmani - Boar. 300 x 224