Eduard Wiiralt, Title Unknown, Lithograph, 1926-34, Private Collection of Juhani Komulainen
Eduard Wiiralt was a well-known Estonian graphic artist, considered as a master of Estonian graphic arts in the first half of the 20th century. At the age of 17 Wiiralt entered Tallinn School of Applied Art where the Estonian painter and draughtsman Nikolai Triik exerted a srong influence on his work. Wiiralt continued his studies in Tartu at the art school Pallas in the sculpture studio of Anton Starkopf, learning the art of engraving.
Durig the period of 1922-23 his works contained a influence of the current German Expressionism. In 1924 he graduated form the Graphics Art Department of the Pallas school and led its graphic studio during the following year. He moved to Paris in 1925, remaining there without interruption until 1938. It was in Paris that he created his etching entitled “Hell”.
In 1937 the International Graphic Exhibition in Vienna recognized him as the leading engraver in Europe, honoring him with its Gold Medal. Wiiralt lived and worked in Marrrakesh, Morocco for six months starting in July of 1938, when he returned back to his homeland Estonia. At the end, he lived in Sceaux, a commune in Southern Paris until his death at the age of 55 in 1954. His complete work consists of some 450 engravings, etchings, wood engravings and lithographs in collections in Europe and America.