David Kakabadze’s “Imereti-My Mother” (1918) stands as one of the most significant works in Georgian art history, representing a pivotal moment in the development of Georgian modernism. Created during Georgia’s brief period of independence, this oil on canvas painting (139 x 157 cm) now housed in the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi, masterfully blends personal sentiment with national identity through an innovative artistic language.
The Artist’s Background
David Kakabadze (1889-1952) was born in the village of Kukhi in Imereti, western Georgia. His multifaceted education shaped his unique artistic approach—after completing his secondary education at the Kutaisi gymnasium, he studied natural sciences at St. Petersburg University while simultaneously training under painter L.E. Dmitriyev-Kavkazsky. This dual background in science and art equipped Kakabadze with analytical skills that would later distinguish his creative works.
In St. Petersburg, Kakabadze immersed himself in the Russian avant-garde scene, participating in the “Intimate Studio of Painters and Illustrators” alongside artists such as Pavel Filonov. These early experiences with avant-garde movements, combined with his scientific education, laid the foundation for his innovative approach to art that would fully blossom in works like “Imereti-My Mother.”
“Imereti-My Mother”: A Fusion of Genres and Styles
Created in 1918 when Kakabadze was 29 years old and had just returned from his studies in Petrograd, “Imereti-My Mother” represents a remarkable fusion of landscape and portrait genres. The painting depicts the artist’s mother in the foreground, set against a panoramic view of the fields and characteristic landscape of his home region, Imereti.
What makes this work particularly distinctive is its stylistic approach. While the portrait of Kakabadze’s mother is rendered with realistic detail, the landscape is transformed into multicolored geometric fields that evoke the Imeretian countryside through abstraction. This juxtaposition creates a dialogue between realism and modernist experimentation, showcasing Kakabadze’s early engagement with Expressionism and proto-Cubism while maintaining a connection to recognizable forms.
Symbolism and Cultural Significance
“Imereti-My Mother” is profoundly symbolic, expressing the interconnectedness of birthplace, homeland, and mother—portraying them as inseparable concepts. The composition serves as both a personal emotional tribute and a cultural homage to Georgia, specifically Imereti, Kakabadze’s birthplace.
The timing of the painting is significant—1918 coincided with Georgia’s Act of Independence. As the nation was establishing its modern identity, Kakabadze was developing his artistic voice, influenced by his exposure to Symbolism, Cubism, Futurism, and natural sciences during his time in St. Petersburg.
Technical Innovation and Artistic Approach
Technically, the painting demonstrates Kakabadze’s pioneering approach to composition and form. His background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry influenced his precise geometric arrangements, while his familiarity with European modernist movements informed his abstraction of natural forms.
The color palette draws from the natural environment of western Georgia, arranged in rhythmic patterns that create a sense of movement across the canvas. This approach highlights Kakabadze’s ability to bridge Western European modernist trends with Georgian national elements, creating a distinctive artistic language that balanced avant-garde innovation with cultural heritage.
Historical Context and Artistic Environment
The early 20th century was a period of significant cultural and political transformation in Georgia. The brief window of independence between the Russian Empire and Soviet annexation created an atmosphere where Georgian artists and intellectuals actively sought to define modern Georgian identity.
Kakabadze’s work emerged from this environment of cultural exploration. His approach was part of a broader movement among Georgian artists to synthesize international modernist techniques with national themes and motifs. “Imereti-My Mother” exemplifies this synthesis, contributing to the establishment of a distinctly Georgian modernist tradition.
Legacy and Influence
“Imereti-My Mother” is not only a personal tribute but also a national symbol—one of the paintings that helped define modern Georgian art in the early 20th century. It remains a touchstone for exploring identity, memory, and sense of place in Georgia’s cultural narrative.
The painting’s legacy extends beyond its aesthetic value. It represents a pivotal moment in Kakabadze’s career before his influential Paris period (1920-1927), where he would further develop his analytical approach to art and engage with the French avant-garde. Upon his return to Georgia in 1927, he would continue to influence Georgian art as a professor at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, despite the growing pressures of Socialist Realism under Soviet rule.
Conclusion
David Kakabadze’s “Imereti-My Mother” stands as a masterpiece that captures the essence of Georgian modernism—a work that successfully navigates between personal emotion and national identity, between traditional forms and avant-garde experimentation. Through this painting, Kakabadze created not just an artwork but a visual manifesto that continues to resonate with viewers as both an artistic achievement and a profound expression of cultural belonging.
As Georgia continues to reclaim its artistic heritage after decades of Soviet-era obscurity, Kakabadze’s work, particularly “Imereti-My Mother,” remains central to understanding the rich tradition of Georgian modernism and its unique contribution to the global art landscape.
