Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Mezzotint on paper. 1973.
Signature: Virmalised – “Kodalased”, metsotinto 37/50 / K. Põllu, 1973

Coming to auction for the first time in Estonian history, Kaljo Põllu’s “Northern lights” is part of his iconic “Kodalased” series, which delves deeply into the beliefs, myths and spiritual life of Finno-Ugric peoples. Põllu interpreted his knowledge into his own artistic language but the content and form of the designs were supported by material collected during long research trips.

His first works and the stories contained in them also inspired numerous students to undertake expeditions to the White Sea and beyond the Urals themselves, in order to further investigate what tribal peoples still retain of their former customs and beliefs. Põllu and the members of his research team’s deep love for mythology was also an important part of defining the identity of an Estonian.

The Northern lights, as an endless source of inspiration for the myths of the peoples of the North, have taken the form of a flowing ribbon of the sky in Põllu’s interpretation. The vastness spreads out before us, a father stands on the shore with his child and enjoys the powerful spectacle of nature.

This is a moment when one does not think about the future or the past but is precisely this moment here and now – man and nature and the coexistence that arises from it. The print was exhibited at the exhibition “Kaljo Põllu. Mythological Ancient World” at the Adamson Eric Museum in 2020-2021.

Text: Katre Palm