Wiiralt’s Masterful Graphic Art on Display in Tallinn

Text Timo Raussi

Photos Artman Art Cellar

A new art gallery opened in Tallinn’s Old Town at the beginning of summer, with its first exhibition dedicated to one of Estonia’s most renowned graphic artists of all time. Calling itself an art cellar due to its location in the basement of an old building, the Artman gallery’s opening exhibition “Wiguriga Wiiralt” presents a wide selection of works by Eduard Wiiralt, 1898–1954. The works are owned by the foundation preserving the artist’s legacy as well as three private collectors. The exhibition is open until the end of September.

Eduard Wiiralt’s work has gained recognition beyond Estonian art circles. Wiiralt studied in Tallinn and Tartu before moving to Paris in the 1920s, where he achieved widespread acclaim, especially for his masterful drypoint engravings and etchings. Among his best-known works is the highly detailed “Põrgu”, or “Hell”, which draws on symbolism of decadent urban life and social oppression and is considered one of the landmark works of 20th-century Estonian graphic art. Wiiralt’s images combine technical virtuosity, insightful portraits, grotesque humour and psychological depth.

The Artman exhibition focuses especially on the artist’s first Paris period and his second period in Estonia. On display are both well-known and rarely seen prints, illustrating the diversity of Wiiralt’s artistic expression. Alongside “Põrgu”, highlights of the exhibition include “Jutlustaja”, or “The Preacher”, “Kabaree”, or “Cabaret”, “Viljandi maastik”, or “Viljandi Landscape” and “Virve”. The exhibition also includes as many as 11 works that are being presented to the public for the first time.

The new gallery’s mission is to highlight Estonian art and the culture of art collecting. The art cellar organises temporary exhibitions and art auctions, and also sells and accepts original artworks for sale. The gallery is located at Dunkri 11, just a few minutes’ walk from Tallinn Town Hall Square. It is open on weekdays from 12:00–19:00 and on Saturdays from 12:00–17:00. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Tickets for the Wiiralt exhibition, available for purchase on site, cost €9 for adults and €5 for students and pensioners. Children of preschool age can visit the exhibition free of charge. More information about the gallery and the people behind it is available online and on its Facebook page.

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