Carl Sigismund Walther: in the Artist’s Living Room
Born in Dresden, Carl Sigismund Walther (1783–1866) arrived in Estonia in 1809 and became a painter with a long and diverse career. Walther taught drawing at the Tallinn Cathedral School, actively took part in the city’s social and club life, and was prolific in various genres: he painted portraits, genre pictures and altar pieces for a number of churches across Estonia. As befits Biedermeier, Walther’s portraits and genre paintings are reminiscent of religious art: small and quiet domestic moments filled with benevolence, compassion, faith and hope.
The exhibition is comprised of about ten paintings that introduce Walther’s work in different genres, as well as a selection of drawings. As the exhibition complements the permanent exhibition Landscapes of identity: Estonian Art 1700–1945, the three works by Walther in the permanent exhibition have also received longer accompanying texts.
Book is available at the museum webshop
Artworks displayed
Gallery
The curators Triin Kröönström and Kadi Polli about the artist
The turn of the 18th and 19th centuries is an important period in Estonian art history. About that time the local art history and art community began to develop and the role and status of the artist in the society changed: alongside craftsmen intellectuals with academic backgrounds appeared. In our country, this change is embodied by two artists, both of whom came directly from the Dresden academy of arts: Karl August Senff in Tartu and Carl Sigismund Walther in Tallinn.
Walther promoted local art education, and his participation and influence were significant in all the early manifestations of Tallinn’s art life, where he organised the first art exhibitions, educated the public and promoted the art market, as well as advancing the status of the artist as a dignified member of the local intellectual community.
Through Carl Sigismund Walther’s persona and works, by looking into his living room both directly and indirectly, several key themes of the early decades of cultural life in Estonia are explored: the educational landscape, German theatre in Tallinn, the status of the artist in the society of the time, family and friendships, and the development of social life.
Minutes books of the Fraternitas Revaliensis society. Commentariorum actorum venerabilis Fraternitatis. Pars I–II. 1823–1832. Indian ink on paper. Estonian History Museum
Curators: Triin Kröönström and Kadi Polli
Designer: Tuuli Aule
Coordinator: Tiiu Saadoja
Exhibition technician: Andres Amos
Team: Liis-Marel Aak, Richard Adang, Darja Andrejeva, Tanel Asmer, Iraida Burdina, Kaarel Eelma, Kadi-Riin Haasma, Inga Jaagus, Oskar Kröönström, Maria Lota Lumiste, Tõnis Medri, Grete Ots, Tiina Randus, Renita Raudsepp, Polina Richter, Mati Schönberg, Mihhail Staško, Stanislav Stepaško, Laura Tahk, Lea Tall, Allan Talu, Terje Tammearu, Eva Tammekivi, Kristiina Tiideberg, Uve Untera
We thank: the EELC Tallinn Cathedral Congregation, EELC Urvaste St. Urban’s Congregation, Estonian History Museum, National Heritage Board of Estonia, Tallinn City Museum and Tartu Art Museum.
Related events
Landscapes of Identity: Estonian Art 1700–1945 Permanent exhibition
Related events
Landscapes of Identity: Estonian Art 1700–1945 Permanent exhibition