Ülo Sooster 1924–1970 Lovers in Nature. 1951 - 1955

A rare colored ink drawing that is at once a document of human courage and an expression of lyrical dreams. Ülo Sooster created the work while in Dolinka labor camp near Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where he also met his future wife, Lydia. Whether he drew Lydia herself is unknown. In this work, Sooster tends to transcend the realities of the labor camp; he does not depict hardship or suffering, but rather his dreams and longings. The tall tree trunks create a safe environment, the little house feels homely, and the woman, resting her head on her knees, is not portrayed erotically but as a source of security and comfort.

Accompanying sketches from the same period depict the house and female figures.