A Lecture over a Glass of Wine: Pirosmani

“The Universe of Pirosmani” is a vivid, unique, symbol-rich world filled with Georgian artifacts, created by Niko Pirosmani — a national Georgian painter whose simplicity is striking and meanings are profound. He himself became a symbol of Georgia, of artistic freedom and unshakable creative will.

At the lecture, you will learn:
• How is Pirosmani connected to Shevardnadze, the Zdanevich brothers, Nabokov, and Pasternak?
• What recurring symbols appear in his paintings, and what do they mean — for him and for us?
• How should we perceive “naive art”? What is its meaning, and why does “primitivism” not mean “primitive”?
• Why was he unrecognized during his lifetime — and how did fame come after?

The lecture will be hosted by Pasha Rost — a painter, illustrator, and graduate of the Florence Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Academic Painting.