Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Linocut on paper. 1963.
Signature: Saaremaa. Noored (linoollõige) / ITORN 63

Ilmar Torn (1921-1999), originally from Kuressaare, has dedicated several prints and paintings to the nature and people of his home island out of love for them, including the four-piece linocut series “Saaremaa”. In addition to this particular print, it also included “Stone Fences”, “Fields” and “Mother”, the first two of which are also in the permanent collection of the Art Museum of Estonia.

The print “Saaremaa. Youth”, which is being offered for the first time in the history of Estonian art auctions, is like a composite image of the nature and the strength of the islanders. Two young people stand on the seashore, surrounded only by water, beach stones and wind. The young man’s straight-forward yet serious gaze emphasizes his firmness of principles, which always helps him to remain honest with himself and others.

The artist has expressed the same quality with the help of the girl’s clasped hands – as a sign of making agreements and keeping them. These values were always important for Torn, both in his work as the head of the Artists’ Union and in his creations. The artistic charm of the work lies in the masterful use of black and white surfaces – the clear contrast of pure white and deep night black is put into the service of conveying the story.

Text: Mai Levin, Katre Palm