Richard Sagrits 1910–1968 The Coast of Rutja. 1945

Compared to many other artists, Richard Sagrits seemed to adapt better to the Soviet order. During the war, he stayed in Yaroslavl, but after the war he received state commissions, for example, he painted the Estonia painting with Evald Okas and Elmar Kits. On the other hand, there is a certain searching or inner uncertainty in his work, and the majority of his paintings are politically neutral nature paintings. Compared to Kits or Okas, Sagrits did not develop into an artist who dealt with ideologically appropriate themes in a forceful way, but rather sought his niche in the nostalgic interpretation of nature. 
It is the nostalgic aspect that stands out: Sagrits often painted in his native Karepa, where he was originally from and where he later lived. The surroundings here inspired him, but were also an emotional anchor, providing a sense of security and stability in turbulent times. Situated near Karepa, Rutja beach was undoubtedly very familiar to Sagrits. We can therefore speculate that a number of people in this painting may also have been close to Sagrits.
The work cautiously explores the possibilities of realism and is unusually large-scale and celebratory for Sagrits. Although there is an obligatory working motif in the work, Sagrits was already interested in the fishing life, and for him observing them was more a return to the familiar and safe. At a time when the whole world seemed to have collapsed, Sagrits walks onto the doorstep and paints familiar people living familiar lives. 
Special attention should be paid to the treatment of sky and grass. Here we see a picturesque freedom that was in fact already reprehensible. Sagrits’ brush has moved swiftly and improvisationally, he has enjoyed life and painting, and the pressures of obligation are momentarily forgotten.