Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Woodcut on paper. 1939.
Signature: Turg / Richard Kaljo – 1939

Richard Kaljo’s (1914-1978) genre painting of a market from his early creative period is a masterpiece, demonstrating technical virtuosity, the ability to capture the characters of folk types, compositional solidity, and the conveying of the atmosphere of commercial life.

With seven human figures who embody a gallery of the most diverse representatives of the common people, the impression of a much more crowded market is created, the contrasting light-dark modeling adding both mobility to the depicted and the drama and passion inherent in the scene. However, Kaljo also pays close attention to fashion and the accessories that complement it, which is why the print can also be read as a view of everyday clothing in 1939.

Text: Harry Liivrand