Phaeton and the night feast 

Niko Pirosmani’s 'Phaeton and the night feast', uses oil applied to a simple canvas, likely created in the late 19th or early 20th century. The rough quality of the painting—its visible brushwork and somewhat awkward perspective—shouldn't be mistaken for lack of skill. Pirosmani was self-taught, but a master of observation. Notice how he renders textures: the dark sheen of the men’s suits, the rough timber of the tavern. These details convey a powerful sense of place, probably based on the artist's travels around Georgia. Pirosmani wasn’t formally trained, and survived by doing odd jobs. His paintings are an expression of this lived experience. The choice of materials, the directness of the application, and the subject matter – a humble feast, painted at night – all reflect the artist’s close connection to everyday life. Understanding art like this means looking past traditional hierarchies, and appreciating the skill involved in representing life as it is lived.