Bear cub 

This is "Bear Cub" by Niko Pirosmani, an oil painting on oilcloth, likely made in the early 20th century. Pirosmani was a self-taught Georgian painter who lived a life of poverty and obscurity. He is now celebrated as one of Georgia's most important artists. Pirosmani's style is simple and direct. He painted quickly, often on black oilcloth, and his subjects were often animals and people he encountered in his everyday life. This bear cub is a typical example of his work: the animal is depicted in a straightforward, almost naive style, with little attention to detail. What is interesting here is that Pirosmani was not part of the established art world. Instead, he painted for local taverns and shops, creating signs and decorations in exchange for food and drink. The image then, has a definite function outside of the museum context. To understand Pirosmani's art more fully, we can look into the social and cultural context of Georgia at the time, focusing on the traditions of folk art and the role of the artist in society. By studying these materials, we can gain a richer understanding of Pirosmani's unique vision.