Richard Uutmaa
(1905–1977)
Coast. 1967
Oil, canvas. 50.5 x 70.5 cm (framed)
price 22 100
Richard Uutmaa comes from the village of Eisma on the coast of North Estonia, just like Richard Sagrits from his neighbouring village of Karepa. Both artists acquired artistic skills at the Pallas Higher Art School, their teacher was Nikolai Triik, and they have a deep understanding of the sea, the coastal landscape, fishermen, and the life of the coastal people. So, too, is the work here, inspired by the high coast of Rannamõisa, which focuses on the intermediate zone between land and sea and combines different moods and challenging approaches to colour. On the one hand, the artist has opened up a view of the sea, offering a rather rare high-opening perspective in Estonian painting. On the other hand, Uutmaa emphasises the lushness of beach nature and the harmoniousness of the landscape view. The different approaches to colouring between these two zones – the sea and the land – are highlighted. The sea is conveyed as cold dark blue and light-absorbing, while the land is warm and bright. A new layering is added to the painting by the sky with clouds. The regular rhythm of the clouds has a calming and safe effect, but there is also something dramatic and energised in their form.