Cover Picture © Credits to Radiokukka
Cover Picture © Credits to Radiokukka

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Niko Pirosmani, a great Georgian painter

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Georgians have many talented painters. The most famous one is Niko Pirosmani, who lived in the 19th century. Pirosmani was not only a great painter, but also his sad love story and the way he lived will not leave you indifferent. I am going to tell you about one of the greatest Georgian painters, who never knew about his greatness and talent.

Niko Pirosmani was born in 1862, in the village of Mirzaani, near Signagi, in the Kakheti Region. He was born in a poor family, so he did not have a chance to get the education or learn how to paint. Therefore, he was a self-taught painter, whose paintings are now worth millions. Pirosmani’s works were very realistic and full of emotions due to his sad love story.

Signagi
Signagi
JMXR+767, Kachreti, Georgia

Picture © Credits to MyGeo LLC

Million Roses

In 1909, there were the announcements in the streets of Tbilisi about a famous actress Margarita, who has visited the city for several days. People say that Pirosmani saw her on the scene and was amazed by her beauty. He fell in love with her at first sight and cried out the following words: “Oh god, she is not just a beautiful woman, but a precious pearl.”

One day, in front of the hotel, where the actress Margarita was staying, the huge carts full of red roses appeared. Niko Pirosmani sold everything he had, including his house, to buy all the flowers of the city and sent them to her as a sign of his love. When Margarita saw this beauty, she was amazed by the fact that he spent his last coins to offer her all those flowers. People say that Margarita gave the artist her first and last kiss. Unfortunately, several days after, the actress left Georgia with her wealthy admirer. This is how Pirosmani’s sad love story was ended.

Picture © Credits to MyGeo LLC

Life after artist’s sad love story

After this, Niko lived in extreme poverty in a tiny room under the stairs of one of the buildings in Tbilisi. Pirosmani’s only source of income were his paintings that he was selling very cheaply. Sometimes, he was painting the walls of the taverns to earn some coins for the food. Niko could not even buy the paint, and that is why he was preparing it by himself.

Paintings of Niko Pirosmani today

Nowadays, at the place where Pirosmani lived, there is the ‘Niko Pirosmanashvili Museum’, that is open since 1982. In this museum, you can see the paintings of Niko Pirosmani and his private items. In the center of the room, there is his most famous painting of Margarita. In addition, some of his masterpieces can be seen in the ‘Signagi National Museum’. Pirosmani’s paintings are costly and well-known in the whole world. The only sad fact is that the artist never knew about his great talent. His paintings drag all the visitor’s attention by its simplicity and emotionality.

Sighnaghi National Museum
Sighnaghi National Museum
Sighnaghi, Georgia
Niko Pirosmanashvili Museum
Niko Pirosmanashvili Museum
29 Niko Pirosmani St, T'bilisi, Georgia

Picture © Credits to Arthive

While visiting Georgia, don’t forget to explore the works of Niko Pirosmani, a painter who was so underestimated in his lifetime but today is considered as one of the greatest Georgian painters. You will be touched by his paintings, especially the one of Margarita, that will remind you of the artist’s romantic and sad love story.

Video © Credits to kvakeri

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The author

Anano Chikhradze

Anano Chikhradze

I am Anano. I Iove travelling, history and getting to know people from all over the world. I write about Georgia, my country, and I am sure everybody will fall in love with it.

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