Eesti kunsti oksjonid
Eduard Wiiralt “Virve”
Kevadoksjon 2025
Drypoint on paper. 1943.
Signature: E. WIIRALT Viljandi / Virve – pointe séche 1943 / Eduard Wiiralt
| Measurements | plm 33,5 x 31,9 cm |
|---|---|
| Starting price | 6 400 € |
| Number of bids | 2 |
| Hammer price | 6 400 € |
The model for one of the signature portraits of Estonian art, Eduard Wiiralt’s (1898-1954) “Virve”, came from Kolga-Jaani, Viljandi County. In 1943, the girl happened to be visiting her relatives at Tamme farm, where Wiiralt was drawing his famous “Viljandi Landscape”.
At the time, the girl who was only 9 years old, constantly visited the artist’s work process and Wiiralt did not fail to notice the young farm girl’s curious gaze and unusually large eyes. To draw the portrait of the little girl, she was lifted onto a high bench, and Wiiralt placed special emphasis on the eyes, which look thoughtfully and dreamily, hopeful, into the distance.
The print is also part of the collection of the Art Museum of Estonia.
Text: Katre Palm