Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Oil on canvas. 1901.
Signature: A Wistinghausen 01

Born in Tallinn, Amalie Henriette Alexandrine von Wistinghausen (c. 1850-1914-1918) came from the famous Kotzebue family, her great-grandfather was the renowned writer and Estophile August von Kotzebue. Wistinghausen, who received her art education in St. Petersburg, was taught by the legendary Julius Sergius von Klever and Octave de Champeaux de La Boulaye.

Wistinghausen successfully exhibited at several academic exhibitions in both Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Among the art public, her powdery, bright views of her hometown were among the most beloved, usually depicting panoramic views of the Old Town painted from Pirita or Kadriorg. Wistinghausen is known to have painted two versions of this motif, each with a different size and slight difference in tone. The smaller one belongs to the Art Museum of Estonia, the larger one is before us today.

The water surface, which appears to be mirror-smooth in complete calm, carries the warm tones of the sun that has set behind the slope of Toompea a moment ago. As a sensitive colorist, the artist captures only the fleeting moment when day gives way to night – the shadow of the twilight is already covering the most shadowy places but the sea and sky, shimmering in the sunset, do not yet let go of the day. It is so quiet that the sailboat visible in the distance seems to have stopped – perhaps to also enjoy the unique beauty of the moment.

Text: Mai Levin, Katre Palm