Vasil (Vaso) Abashidze (1854 - 1926) was a Georgian theater actor and a founder of the realistic acting tradition in Georgia. As stated in the article under the illustration:

“Who is Vaso Abashidze?

- He’s an artist. What is an Artist?

- It’s Vaso Abashidze.” 

 

Born in Dusheti, Georgia, then part of Russian Empire, Abashidze worked as a teacher in his native Georgia, as well as in Azerbaijan, while also acting in amateur theatre troupes in Kutaisi. In 1879 he joined the renewed professional Georgian drama troupe in Tiflis and was featured in comedies by both Georgian and foreign authors. Abashidze translated and adapted over 42 comedies and vaudevilles, and in 1885 he founded the theatrical paper Teatri (The Theater). The Tbilisi Music and Drama State Theatre was named after him. He died in Tbilisi and is buried at the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures.

Wikipedia

Satan's Whip

Source: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia