Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Mezzotint on paper. 1989.
Signature: Taevalikud sõnumid – “Taevas ja maa” metsotinto 9/50 / Kaljo Põllu, 1989

Kaljo Põllu (1934-2010), a grand figure in Estonian mythological art, used the softness and smooth transitions of the mezzotint technique to convey his message. Already in the first half of the 1970s, he began interpreting Estonian history with poetic imagery and continued this in his cult series of works. Thus, “Heavenly messages” which was completed in 1989, also contains the national romantic motif of an ancient gate, made famous by Kristjan Raud, as the central element of the composition.

We also see the figure of a person with raised hands, in the form of a spellcaster or a wise man, waiting for a better future. The pathos title, however, refers both metaphorically and temporally to the hopes of a singing revolution. The curtains, reminiscent of the Northern lights, on the left and right sides of the composition add theatricality and solemnity to the work. In 2001, Kaljo Põllu also painted this motif in oil (private collection).

Text: Harry Liivrand