Sketch for "Surami Fortress" 1933

Petre Otskheli created this sketch for "Surami Fortress" using pencil and watercolor on paper. The effect is immediate and communicative. Otskheli wasn't just an artist; he was deeply involved in the cultural life of his time. He designed costumes and sets for theater, bringing stories to life through visual design. This sketch embodies an interest in national dress, and traditional garments. The details in the drawing, the folds of the fabric, the cut of the boots, are all rendered with loving attention. Otskheli's fate underscores the complex relationship between art and politics. Tragically, his life was cut short during Stalin's purges, a stark reminder of the human cost of ideological repression. His story invites us to look closely, to consider the materials, the making, and the broader context in which art is created.