Märt Roosma 1904-1991 Õllejooja. 1943

The pub theme is nothing extraordinary in the Estonian art. Let us remember for instance the group portraits and pub scenes by Oskar Hoffmann that also gave a cross-section of the population. In the 1930ies more important than pubs became the urban tippling in cafés, but Märt Roosma shows us the continuation of traditions. Humorous but sincere “Õllejooja” does not try to concentrate on showing the horrors of the reverse side of life, but is trying to depict a simple man, who is just having a beer at the end of the day. Roosma’s work is characterized by a thoroughly human approach that can find vitality also during hard times from down-to-earth and close-to-heart matters.