Estonian art F590

This themed auction includes more than 70 artworks by notable Estonian artists such as Eerik Haamer, Endel Köks, Paul Allik, Ado Lill, and many others.

In the first half of the 20th century, Scandinavian and Baltic artists played a crucial role on the international art scene. They actively participated in significant international exhibitions and institutions that emerged in Central Europe. Many of these artists returned to their homelands from cultural metropolises like Paris and Berlin, which has led to their often being excluded from the narrative of European avant-garde movements, despite their profound influence in their respective countries.

In Estonia, several artistic movements emerged, influenced by international trends such as symbolism, cubism, and expressionism. The most prominent of these was the group Noor-Eesti (Young Estonia), which formulated a visionary pursuit of uniting national identity with European culture. Their slogan was: "More culture! More European culture! Let us remain Estonians, but let us also become Europeans."

Despite Soviet oppression and strict rules for artistic freedom, the Estonian artistic tradition continued to evolve and inspire. Many artists used subtle symbols and hidden messages to express their resilience against the political system. This period is known for its artistic resistance, where both older and younger generations of artists fought to preserve and renew their culture through art.