Queen Tamar of Georgia 

Niko Pirosmani painted "Queen Tamar of Georgia", an oil on oilcloth artwork, sometime during his career. Tamar is depicted frontally against a stark red background, which sharply contrasts with the figure's luminous white dress and cape. This juxtaposition heightens the iconic presence of the queen. The composition is deliberately flattened, devoid of traditional perspective. Pirosmani uses simplified forms, reducing Tamar's regalia to basic shapes. Her crown, a vibrant yellow, is adorned with dark spots, which draws the eye upwards. Tamar holds a scroll covered in text, perhaps a symbolic representation of law or decree, rendered in a non-realistic style. This feature blends text as image. Pirosmani's technique disrupts conventional portraiture, challenging us to reconsider notions of power and representation through its formal language. What does the simplicity of form and directness of presentation communicate about Pirosmani's view of the Queen and the structures of authority?