Uno Roosvalt 1941 Landscape. 1961

At the time of creating this painting, Uno Roosvalt was 20 years old, and we see here the beginning of an artist’s future path. Although he developed an interest in coastal landscapes as a child in his home in Kuusalu, the summer art camps for painting students on the islands—especially on Kihnu—had a strong influence on him. He became a painter of coastal landscapes, whose laconic seashores serve as symbols of life, faith, and humanity.

Roosvalt himself has spoken about his path as a painter of coastal landscapes: “Kuusalu is also a coastal place. At the Tartu Art School, there were multi-week summer art camps. These camps were organized all over Estonia, but mostly in the south: Alatskivi, Värska, Rõuge. From that time on, I developed an interest in painting nature. The teachers were great enthusiasts; sometimes we spent the entire day walking in nature. Even later, while studying at the Art Institute, the same system continued.

The longest practical training at the Art Institute lasted 5–6 weeks. We explored all the practice locations on foot. The internship on the island of Kihnu had an enormous impact on me—the nature and village life there. At that time, people still wore traditional clothing. In my paintings and drawings, there are also motifs from Viinistu, Muhu, Prangli, Gotland, Finland, and Norway. I also have a hobby of collecting old fishing tools: wooden storm lanterns, water scoops, and rope-bound bundles placed between boats, among others. Drawing has always been as important to me as painting. I am interested in drawing for detail, while painting allows me to focus more on the general aspect.”