Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Linocut on paper. 1962.
Signature: “Võrkpall“ linoleum proovitrükk 1962 / RKaljo

From the second half of the 1950s onwards, graphic artists had the opportunity to avoid political issues and focus more on exploiting technical possibilities. Richard Kaljo (1914-1978), who, like Eduard Wiiralt, was a virtuosic draftsman and master of graphic techniques, was a perfect fit. He was brilliant both as a realistic capturer of everyday moments and as a broader observer of social conditions.

“Volleyball” captures a typical moment of a fierce game of ball possession; the entire composition and arrangement of the figures illustrate the passion and determination of the players, as well as the awareness of their own playing position. One of the best sports depictions in Estonian graphics, in which only the sportswear betrays that the action takes place decades ago.

The print comes to auction directly from the Richard Kaljo estate collection and is reproduced in the book accompanying the exhibition “Richard Kaljo. Stories in Graphics and Letters” held at Kumu in 2014-2015, p. 26, p. 118 and in the catalogue section, p. 150.

Text: Harry Liivrand