Felix Randel 1901–1977 Estonian Chiefs in Pöide. 1943

Felix Randel’s work went through several distinct phases: he began as a significant Cubist, then shifted to a style more reminiscent of Art Déco, and later turned to caricatures. As a result, his output in painting remained relatively small, and each of Randel’s paintings is a minor art-historical discovery.

From 1942 to 1944, Randel was in the rear at Yaroslavl and Moscow. Upon his return, he focused on recording the destruction in Narva. During World War II, historical narratives were highly favored among Estonian artists, particularly those depicting the historical struggle of Estonians against the Germans. The killing of Estonian elders in Paide was one such event. Paintings depicting historical events have been relatively rare in Estonia, making this work a rare example of history being represented in painting. At the same time, Randel was not overly concerned with precise details; the work contains few specifics, with the emphasis placed on painterly effects.