Eesti kunsti oksjonid
Kaljo Põllu “Teekonna algus”
Kevadoksjon 2025
Mezzotint on paper. 1978.
Signature: Teekonna algus – “Kalivägi”, metsotinto / K. Põllu 1978
| Measurements | plm 39,5 x 44,5 cm |
|---|---|
| Starting price | 2 000 € |
| Number of bids | 39 |
| Hammer price | 8 500 € |
Kaljo Põllu’s (1934-2010) legendary series depicting the life and traditions of the Nordic peoples entitled “Kalivägi” was exhibited in Finland, Sweden, and Norway in the 1980s. In recent years, Põllu’s prints have made a powerful comeback, largely thanks to successful exhibitions in Estonia and abroad, with his aesthetics attracting particular attention in Japan.
The colored mezzotint print “The beginning of the journey” is a poetic description of the past of the Finno-Ugric waterfowl people. In feminine forms, people rowing in front of the landscape and clouds – figuratively meaningful solutions and metaphors of primal female power – are a visual interpretation of the Karelian rock drawings, symbols of our probable ancestors.
The context of the 1970s when, thanks to the music of Veljo Tormis and Lennart Meri’s “Silver White”, a new national great myth about the past and patriotism of Estonians began to be created, must be taken into account when looking at the series. An important art historical document!
Text: Harry Liivrand