August Jansen

August Jansen is an artist, whom Voldemar Vaga has called in his handling of the Estonian art history one of the most significant names of the “Noor-Eesti” (“Young Estonians”) era. Vaga says pertinently that when several contemporaries of Jansen had started their education in Russia, but still continued it in Western Europe, then Jansen, “the third outstanding painter besides Mägi and Triik”, had received his whole education in Russia. Having accidentally become a drawer in Narva at the local broadcloth factory, Jansen heads for St.Petersburg, where his studies last in different schools the total period of 14 years. In spite of his international education, from the very beginning Jansen sticks out with his increased interest towards national issues. Already in the 1910ies his creation starts to deal with issues, which are familiar to Estonia and no wonder that in the excited year of 1942 Jansen again returns to the theme, which is close to his heart.
The theme of coastal people, which was close to him already during his school time, becomes again topical during the wartime. People in national clothing doing their everyday work seem to be a clear message. Still even here Jansen does not deceive the phenomenon that Vaga considered to be his biggest actual value: “the integrity of colours, abundance of nuances and diversity of hues”.