Peeter Ulas 1934–2008 Saaremaa Landscape. 1963

Bottom left: "Landscape of Saaremaa" linocut

Bottom right: P. Ulas 68. a

"Landscape of Saaremaa" by Peeter Ulas belongs to those works where the small format seems monumental, black and white seems colorful and static seems dynamic. Those who have experienced the special tenacious spirit of Saaremaa and its unique interweaving with mythicity can be in solidarity with Peeter Ulas' vision. The exploration of Saaremaa, especially in recent years, has brought to the fore a series of mysterious new archaeological insights that need to be studied by Estonian and international scientists - for example, the ship burials of the warriors' of pre-Viking era and a high-class gold bracelet, the likes of which have not been found in Scandinavia in terms of volume. The research group has asked questions about the origin of the top American architect Louis Kahn (1901-1974), who was born in Saaremaa, and about the possible influences of medieval architecture on his architecture. In 1963, when the linocut here was completed, Saaremaa was a closed military zone of the Soviet Union, where Soviet citizens were only allowed to travel with a permit, just like abroad. Peeter Ulas is one of the top graphic artists whose creative peak was in the 1960s-1970s, balancing the gentler treatment of the female graphic artists.