Saint George’s Day in Bolnisi (fragment) 1915

Niko Pirosmani painted this fragment of Saint George’s Day in Bolnisi with oil on oilcloth, in a way that feels so utterly of-the-moment. Look at the texture in this piece; the rough, absorbent surface of the oilcloth gives the whole scene a kind of earthy glow. The way he's used the paint is so direct, almost childlike, but don’t let that fool you. It’s sophisticated in its simplicity! The faces are really striking – just a few strokes of white to create these otherworldly expressions that draw you in. Then there's the table, laden with bottles and food, rendered in thick, creamy whites, like some kind of spectral feast. The whole painting has this dreamlike quality, and it reminds me a bit of Henri Rousseau, another self-taught artist who wasn't afraid to embrace the uncanny. Ultimately, I think this is a piece about embracing the magic in the everyday, and finding beauty in the imperfections.