Elmar Kits 1913–1972 Tartu New Anatomical Theatre. 1962

n the autumn of 1962, Elmar Kits painted a large-scale autumnal view of Toomemägi, capturing the new anatomy building through the fall-colored trees and bustling people. Depicting a city’s landmarks in this way was a common practice, allowing artists to express a sense of home. Kits has positioned the anatomy building on the left edge of the painting, the central area is given to Näituse Street ascending from Toomemägi, and another building appears on the right — transforming the work from a portrait of a single structure (the anatomy building) into an autumnal cityscape. Kits, of course, chose his hometown, Tartu, for this view. The area was well known to him: he lived nearby in Tähtvere for a long time, and later moved to the Tartu Artists’ House, with a route that also passed through Toomemägi. In the figures hurrying along the street, one can even glimpse Kits himself.

The painting is listed in the book Elmar Kitse fenomen as item no. 521.