Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Linocut on paper. 1960.
Signature: “Korvpall“ linoleum 1960 / RKaljo

While Richard Kaljo (1914-1978) completed the first of his sports series, “Basketball” in a landscape format woodcut in 1949, in 1960 he turned the page the other way and created the story in linocut. This time, the print was also considerably larger than the first. Kaljo has brilliantly captured the moment when a shot is about to be made. The artist delights in bringing out the players’ excited expressions, so that even the wrinkles of effort are visible.

In the background, Kaljo operates with a dramatic effect of white and black, which further enhances the festive moment of the point that is immediately added to the scoreboard. The lower part of the design – the playing field – has been left white, however, to express the free movement and the energy that is born there. A work with great dynamics!

We celebrate the 110th anniversary of Richard Kaljo’s birth with this print. “Basketball” is reproduced on page 119 as well as in the catalogue section of the exhibition “Richard Kaljo. Stories in Graphics and Letters” held at Kumu in 2014-2015.

Text: Katre Palm