Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Drypoint, aquatint on paper. 1961.
Signature: Erinevad noorused. Kuivnõel, akvatinta II 7/25 / EOkas 961

Evald Okas’ (1915-2011) work has always been genre-versatile but the graceful women shaped by delicate flowing lines are clearly popular in his works. It was Okas who brought a sensual-erotic approach to the Estonian painting tradition and graphic art, having depicted exotic women from distant lands throughout all his creative periods.

“Different youths” from his Italian series  was, according to the artist himself, one of his favorite pieces. In the year it was completed, 1961, Okas also exhibited it at the All-Union exhibition held in Moscow, about which Ene Lamp, Rein Loodus and Mart Eller noted the following in their exhibition review: “About the graphic art exhibitions of our republic, let us only say that the greatest object of interest to the audience (and rightly so) seems to have been E. Okas’ stylish and richly meaningful Italian-themed pages and watercolors, which have been considered the best in the entire exhibition in the guest book” (magazine “Kunst”, 1-1962, p. 13).

Even today, it is one of Okas’ most sought-after graphic sheets among collectors where the artist has created a unique contrast between a solemn, averted gaze on the one hand and a proudly adorned, self-conscious woman standing in the background on the other. The two different techniques used in the creation of the piece also demonstratively emphasize how much our choices in life affect human destiny.

Text: Katre Palm