Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Oil on masonite. 1969.
Signature: EW 69

Legends and fairytales inspired Edgar Valter not only when designing illustrations for books but also in his free creativity, contributing to Valter’s development into one of Estonia’s most interesting surrealist artists. In “A dream”, we see two scenes: a girl standing in the moonlight at the window and a young man standing in front of the curtain.

The unifying element of the action in the composition is the white curtain, which in the sense of the painting has a function of both concealing and emphasizing the openness of the window. But equally important is the moonlight itself, its cool caressing glow reflected on both figures, allowing the ancient story to begin.

Introducing a repetition of figures that almost disappears into the darkness at the end of the room, Valter tells us of the experience that takes place in fantasies, dreamlike experiences where the deepest recesses of the subconscious are revealed. Here, a ladder, a window to the afterlife, or a meeting with a good friend can suddenly appear on the wall of the room. In a dream, everything is possible, you just have to close your eyes…

Text: Harry Liivrand, Katre Palm