Arsenali Mountain at night 1908

Niko Pirosmani made this painting, Arsenali Mountain at night, using oil on oilcloth, though the exact date is unknown. Look at the way he’s built up the surface, especially in the top left corner. Those rocks are almost sculpted with the paint. I love the deep blues he’s used for the sky, and how they contrast with the bright white of the moon. The paint is applied so directly, you can see every stroke, every decision. It's like he's feeling his way through the night. It’s interesting to think about how the texture of the oilcloth itself might have guided his brush. And then there's that streak of bright yellow coming from the fire. It cuts through the darkness, bringing a real warmth to the scene. Pirosmani has a way of making simple scenes feel epic, full of feeling, a little bit like another naive painter, Henri Rousseau. In a way, his paintings invite us to dream, offering a glimpse into a world where reality and imagination blur.