self-portrait 1913

David Kakabadzé painted this self-portrait, with oil on canvas, sometime during his career. Kakabadzé was at the forefront of the Georgian avant-garde, experimenting with modernism while remaining deeply connected to his cultural roots. In this self-portrait, we see Kakabadzé not just as an artist, but as an intellectual, a man shaped by the complex cultural and political landscape of early 20th-century Georgia. His gaze meets ours directly, a confident yet thoughtful expression that seems to invite introspection. The muted colors and somewhat stark composition reflect the socio-political environment of the time, when Georgia was navigating its identity. Kakabadzé was very interested in synthesizing Georgian folk art with the contemporary movements of Western Europe. He once said "Art is a bridge between the soul of the nation and the future." Kakabadzé's self-portrait, therefore, stands as a testament to the power of art to reflect and shape cultural identity, offering us a glimpse into the soul of a nation through the eyes of one of its most insightful artists.