Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Eduard Wiiralt’s (1898-1954) period in Morocco (1938-1939) gave him fresh energy and enabled him to create works that more deeply captured the essence of the subject he chose. Wiiralt received inspiration for his trip to Africa from many sources, including the travels of Ants Laikmaa and Friedebert Tuglas as well as conversations with other cultural figures. For example, in 1938, Wiiralt had Tuglas’ book “Morocco” sent to him, and inspired, he set off in July 1938.

“Young Arab”, portraying a boy with velvet eyes, was Wiiralt’s first engraving in the mezzotint technique, which he completed in Estonia in 1940. Since it was important to Wiiralt to convey the characteristics of the different nationalities living in Morocco as authentically as possible, he made a distinction between Arabs and the indigenous Berbers. The title of the work also reflected this.

Text: Katre Palm