Niko Pirosmani (1862–1918) is a legendary, mythical figure. The Georgian artist is one of modern art’s enigmatic loners. Like Vincent van Gogh, Henri Rousseau and Marc Chagall, he succeeded in painting pictures revered by both ordinary people and avant-garde artists. With great sensitivity, the self-taught painter transformed the everyday into the exceptional. The people and animals he depicted with profound dignity often look out at the viewer in a manner both insistent and detached. Bathed in harmonious stillness, they are endowed with a fascinating presence. Using vibrant colours on a black background, Pirosmani painted iconic images of glowing intensity. Featuring around 50 major paintings, this is the most comprehensive international exhibition of Pirosmani’s work to date.
Organised by the Fondation Beyeler and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark, in cooperation with the Georgian National Museum and the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth of Georgia, with friendly support of the Infinitart Foundation. Curated by Daniel Baumann with contributions by Georgian artists Thea Djordjadze and Andro Wekua.
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Our audio guide "Takes on Pirosmani" looks at Niko Pirosmani’s works from a number of different viewpoints. A conservator, the curator, a poet, an art collector, and a child share their impressions of selected paintings. Our audio guides are available in the Art Shop in German, English, or French. Alternatively, you can access our audio guides using your own smartphone. This option is free of charge for visitors up to age 25.
Exhibition catalogue
Niko Pirosmani
Unknown to many, Niko Pirosmani is revered as a legend in his native Georgia. This catalogue demonstrates Pirosmani’s qualities in numerous illustrations, showing how his rapid brushstrokes on black oilcloth give the sparsely applied colors a glow as if coming from a dark depth. Pirosmani was a master of concentration―and a storyteller.
Puzzle
Niko Pirosmani
The idea of cutting up a picture into small pieces, and then having fun trying to reassemble it again, is over 250 years old. In our digital present, too, jigsaw puzzles have lost none of their appeal, either for children or for adults. Doing a jigsaw of one of the works from the Fondation Beyeler exhibition is a particularly enjoyable way of getting to know a painting in detail.
Art Print
Niko Pirosmani
Each work of art is an original which is part of what makes it so special. The disadvantage, however, is that the work cannot be in several places at once. As a way of allowing us to look at paintings outside as well as inside the museum, the Fondation Beyeler creates high-quality fine art prints of selected works on high-quality papers that are resistant to ageing.
The exhibition is generously supported by:
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