Heirs of the Art Collector Evald Timusk Donate Seven Works by Prominent Estonian Artists to the Art Museum of Estonia
At the end of 2025, the Art Museum of Estonia received a valuable donation from a private collection in Canada: the family of Evald and Alide Timusk donated seven artworks by well-known Estonian artists, including Adamson-Eric, Johannes Greenberg, Jaan Grünberg, Eerik Haamer, Karin Luts and Eduard Rüga.
The donated works are characteristic examples of these renowned Estonian artists’ oeuvres. In Two Nudes (late 1930s), Adamson-Eric depicted one of his favourite motifs—nude figures set in nature—while Eerik Haamer’s painting Men With a Shark (1942) reflects his distinctive focus on maritime and fishing themes. Johannes Greenberg created several works featuring café scenes; his painting At a Café (1942) vividly captures the tense atmosphere of the era. Evald Timusk acquired a number of works from his art teacher, Jaan Grünberg. Flowers (1940) and Willows (1944) showcase Grünberg’s mastery of the monotype technique in depicting nature motifs. Still life was a favourite genre for many Estonian artists in exile. Karin Luts’s Still Life (1949) captivates with its vibrant colours, while Eduard Rüga’s 1963 painting is rendered in a more abstract style.
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Evald Timusk (1905–1996) worked as an agronomist and an economic administrator before the Second World War. His interest in art began during his school years at Põltsamaa Gymnasium, where he was taught by the renowned artists Gustav Mootse and Juhan Püttsepp. Later, his principal art teacher was Jaan Grünberg, a master of the monotype technique. In 1944, Evald Timusk fled to Sweden, and in 1951 he settled in Canada. Although he did not consider himself a professional artist, Timusk exhibited his paintings, watercolours and monotypes in numerous exhibitions in Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Evald Timusk began collecting art in the 1930s. He primarily acquired works from artists he knew personally, such as Johannes Greenberg and Jaan Grünberg. When he left Estonia, he was able to take part of his collection with him. The collection later expanded to include works by Estonian artists in exile with whom he maintained close ties. In 1989, Evald Timusk’s art collection was exhibited at the Estonian House in Toronto.
The Art Museum of Estonia is deeply grateful to the family of Evald and Alide Timusk for the valuable donation. The museum also extends thanks to Raivo Plado’s art transport company for their assistance in transporting the works from Canada to Estonia.