Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Watercolor on paper. 1930s.
Signature: PAUL LIIVAK

Paul Liivak (1900-1942), who left an influential mark on Estonian impressionism and national romanticism, is a graphic artist and painter with a very unique style. Although the award-winning artist participated in several exhibitions and was a very promising talent, he did not have time to organize a personal exhibition during his lifetime as he died of starvation in the blockade during World War II as a young man. Thus, the largest retrospective exhibition of his work was organized only in 1960 at the Tartu State Art Museum, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the artist’s birth.

The motif of “The Zither Player”, taken from mythological antiquity, seems to illustrate the well-known song lyrics “I play on the mud, on the mountain…” and, in addition to the visual experience, takes the viewer to a world of sounds and songs. The vigor of the instrument’s sound is also emphasized by the player’s hair fluttering in the wind and the pine tree seems to be singing along because its crown leans in the same direction. With beautiful Art Nouveau ornamentation, Liivak has depicted the sand in the foreground, the pine root system and the crown, masterfully alternating between the melting and dry watercolor techniques.

Text: Harry Liivrand, Katre Palm