Johannes Võerahansu
1902 - 1980
Red Factory. 1946
Oil, plywood. 39 x 60 cm (framed)
price 9 000
Like many other artists, Johannes Võerahansu tried to reinvent himself after World War II. It was forbidden to continue in the same way, new motifs and approaches had to be found. This time, in keeping with the prevailing ideology, Võerahansu has chosen a factory as the point of study, which should inspire optimism in the reconstruction. However, there is no sign of an ideological stance in the painting, as instead of vivid factory work, we see a romantic view of a suburb. The industrial nature of the factory is incomprehensible; instead, somewhere in the suburbs, there are people working by hand and with horses. The Võerahansu has not abandoned his pre-war character here, as the focus is not on motif but on form. Characteristic of the post-war period, he works with sparse colours, but tries to find balances and transition points, creating a romantic and timeless view of the suburbs. The title of the work is obviously intended to reassure the authorities; it has little to do with the painting itself.