Elmar Kits (1913–1972) graduated from Pallas in 1939. During the final exhibition of works he had a total of 14 paintings on display. His style was broad and encompassed impressionist, realist as well as abstract works. When speaking about Kits’ works, his incredible sense of colour, the subtle harmony of the colouring, and sensitive brush work are all cited. The artist was interested in the conveying of light and shadow and atmosphere, with his works exuding freshness, nuanced richness and diversity. However, hidden behind all of this is an incredibly sensitive and rich personality, someone who was at home producing first-hand paintings of nature, poetising on a daily basis, while also expressing his thoughts and experiences.

During the 1940s, Kits adapted quickly to the art demands of the new power and preserved his individuality during the Soviet period. He was able to do so because of his ability to paint quite realistically, an excellent example of which is the work Afternoon represented at the Spring Auction. During the 1950s, Kits produced his best shimmering impressionist paintings of nature. Nature, freshness and the joy of colour, as well as his mastery in depicting light are expressed in Kits’ paintings created in Valgemetsa. The artist’s summer home was in Valgemetsa, which gave him a special connection to the area. It was there that his luscious still lifes and sensitive impressionist landscapes were painted. Brown, ochre, and terracotta tones, as well as greys and greens, all became standard; a striking example of this is View of Valgemetsa, which is included among the works up for auction.

Elmar Kits was a Picasso type of artist, who underwent a number of different changes and styles during his lifetime. While his focus was on landscapes during the 1950s, in the 1960s composition and sensitive handling of light in the impressionist style were at the forefront. His style became freer, and during the middle of the decade he approached abstract art, taking a step away from the beaten path. This was a time of searching in different directions, during which a surrealistic and cubistic play on shapes appeared, one that can also be seen in his work Abstraction, which is a part of the Spring Auction. The new style allowed the artist’s spontaneous and imaginative nature to express itself more freely through improvisation.

Today, a connoisseur of culture visiting the Estonian National Opera can see a bigger monumental painting in the theatre’s cupola, painted by Elmar Kits, Richard Sagrits and Evald Okas. The artist died in 1972 at the age of 58. The year before, he had been awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the ESSR. 

Haus Gallery’s Spring Auction will be taking place on Friday, 27 April at 19.30. The auction exhibition is already open. Auction works can also be viewed in the online catalogue here.