Party by the River Tskheniszkali 

Niko Pirosmani painted “Party by the River Tskheniszkali” in Georgia. Here, a river divides the world into contrasting halves: a light side, teeming with festivities and processions, and a darker, more solitary side, punctuated by figures of animals and villagers. The winding river motif, often seen as a symbol of life’s journey, evokes ancient Greek depictions of the river Styx, the boundary between the living and the dead. One cannot help but recall images of souls ferried across this river to the underworld, a journey into the unknown. Look at the orderly procession on one side, a clear indication of community. Observe the more dispersed, isolated figures on the other side. The artist's psychological intention suggests a deep reflection on community and isolation, life and the afterlife, as a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The image reminds us that symbols are never fixed but continually resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.