Johannes Saal 1911–1964 Puud pargis. 1944

Johannes Saal is an artist with a controversial destiny, who is a good example of the stereotype of „the suffering artist“. He was mentally unstable and in several cases he was forced to ask for specialists’ help. Therefore also his creation has several faces. Next to optimistic and positive works become of bigger importance morbid themes and expressive manner of depiction. Similarily to Paul Burman, also in the creation of Johannes Saal his mental experiences received a surprising expression. “Puud pargis” is a vivid proof of it: impetuous brush use, especially direct rendering of a powerful motif, lack of details, purposefulness. He has no time to dedicate himself to excessive aesthetics, to ponder on details, he just bursts out everything he has on his mind. Even a meager feeling of nature is sufficient for Saal for getting an unquenchable emotional feeling.