Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Watercolor on paper. 1976.
Signature: R. Uutmaa 1976.a. / R. Uutmaa “Tormine meri” 1976. a.

Art historian Mai Levin who wrote a comprehensive monograph on the work of Richard Uutmaa (1905-1977), has written: “Around 1970, his approach became even more general and virtuosic. He painted seascapes, coastal views and nature motifs from different seasons. The direct feeling for nature expressed in them is amazing.” (M. Levin “Richard Uutmaa. Loving Estonia”, p. 206).

At the end of 1975, Uutmaa organized an exhibition of 30 watercolor pieces at the Art Salon to celebrate his 70th birthday. In response, art historian Hilja Läti called him a “first-class watercolorist” (“Richard Uutmaa akvarellid”. Sirp ja Vasar 26.09.1975) and with good reason – not everyone is able to create such diverse works with their own soul from a recurring motif.

“Stormy sea” has the power of a storm wind and the tension of anticipation, amplified by the song of screaming seagulls. Using both melting watercolor and clear contrasting lines at the same time, Uutmaa brings the power play of nature that opens up from the window of his home studio in Eisma directly to the viewer.

The water surface, which has become almost pitch black due to the shadow of dense clouds on the horizon, is sharply cut by daylight shining from behind the clouds, the greenish sea carries foamy waves. The artist has even included the curving coastline, which almost merges with the sea, in the transmission of the prevailing atmosphere – a technique that testifies to the presence of a person who breathes in one rhythm with nature, Richard Uutmaa.

Text: Katre Palm