Eduard Wiiralt

Eduard Wiiralt, a name associated in the world of art history with a touch of mystery and a pinch of Baltic melancholy, was born in Saint Petersburg on March 20, 1898. But his artistic journey only really began when his family moved to Estonia , where he grew up in the picturesque city of Tartu. A master of printmaking, Wiiralt studied at the prestigious Pallas Art School, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Ado Vabbe and other prominent artists of his time. His works are known for their technical precision and the ability to portray the human psyche in all its facets.

In the 1920s, Wiiralt moved to Paris, which was then the beating heart of the art world. Here he found inspiration in the city's lively atmosphere and the avant-garde currents that dominated the art scene. Wiiralt was a quiet observer who captured the Parisian bohemian scene with a keen eye and a subtle sense of humor. His works from this period, such as the famous etchings "Cabaret" and "Hells", testify to his ability to depict the absurd and the grotesque with an almost surgical precision. Despite his success in Paris, Wiiralt remained a modest man who preferred to work in the shadow of the great masters rather than be in the spotlight.

Interesting fact:

Wiiralt was not only a gifted artist, but also a passionate collector of curious objects. In his Paris apartment he is said to have had an impressive collection of antique masks and bizarre dolls that he brought back from his travels through Europe. These objects often served as inspiration for his works and reflect his fascination with the uncanny and the unknown. Another amusing detail from his life is that Wiiralt supposedly had a penchant for wearing socks in incongruous colors, which earned him the nickname "The Colorful Sock Man" among his fellow artists.

Important works of art & pictures by Eduard Wiiralt:

1. "Cabaret" (1931)
2. "Hells" (1932)
3. "The Head of an Old Man" (1928)
4. "The Beggars" (1933)
5. "The Drinker" (1933)
6. "The Madonna" (1934)
7. "The Lion" (1937)
8. "The Dancer" (1939)
9. "The Scream" (1942)
10. "The City" (1943)