Konrad Mägi 1878–1925 Landscape. 1915 - 1916

Konrad Mägi’s rare work probably dates from a period when he worked mainly in South Estonia. So far, we know of a painting with the same motif, Maastik (Landscape) (1915–1916), in the collection of the Art Museum of Estonia, which is currently on display in Lillehammer, Norway, in a major Konrad Mägi survey exhibition. 
This work is apparently a further development of a painting in the museum’s collection. The more refined clouds, the more complete and balanced composition, and the more masterly style of painting suggest that this exploratory painting, found in a private collection, may have been painted in the same location, but over a longer period of time and perhaps completed in a studio. 
Mägi often worked serially on a single motif, creating several different versions of the same view. The exact location of this motif is not known. The use of colour, especially the introduction of shades of purple, as well as the pattern of brushstrokes, suggest that the work may date from an earlier period. After returning from France in the summer of 1912, Mägi worked with a similar shade of purple while living with his brother in Mõniste near the Latvian border. In turn, the use of short horizontal brushstrokes refers to the use of the brush technique that culminated in Saaremaa’s works in 1913 and 1914. On the other hand, it is important to note that the composition of the clouds and the style of depiction of the fields on the background are characteristic of the new period beginning in 1915. Mägi repeatedly depicted clouds piled up like this, paying great attention to both their aesthetic form and dramatic charge.

The colourfulness of this work deserves special mention. Mägi’s strong and bright colours shine here, characteristic of the experimentalism of his best works. The colour combination is bold, with Mägi’s heavy use of cool tones, in which the purple colour, not often used in painting, stands out strongly. It adds an unexpected and sudden element to the work. Add to this the frenetic dramaturgy of the clouds, and it can be said that Mägi has worked on this painting with his characteristic emotional charge. Inspired by the landscape, the artist wants to convey this immediate emotion quickly. His creative impulse is not hampered by excessive contrivance. Mägi has worked briskly but thoroughly, correcting the slight awkwardness of the first depiction of this motif, filling the painting space with a much more multi-layered tension.

Konrad Mägi is one of the most phenomenal creators in Estonian art history, whose works are always rare discoveries. This painting was hitherto unknown, belonging to the family of the first cultural figure of the time of the Republic of Estonia, and later, against the backdrop of Soviet repression by its owners, as a manifestation of bourgeois culture, it was hidden away for many years. The work underwent a restoration at Kanut a year ago, preserving the original frame. The sudden release of the work is undeniably an art-historical event.