Long-lost painting of declaration of independence scene reintroduced
Viljandi in South Estonia was one of the towns where the Estonian Declaration of Independence was read out on Feb. 24, 1918. Not a single photograph of the event survives, and the only painting depicting it was lost for 67 years. Now the rediscovered and restored work was reintroduced to the public.
Following painstaking restoration, the painting by Juhan Kangilaski arrived at the town hall of Viljandi on Friday, where it will remain as well.
Kangilaski was a scenic painter and caricaturist. He painted the picture in 1939 based on the memories and descriptions of those who had been there when the Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Viljandi.
The painting was seen at the town’s fall exhibition in the same year, but then it disappeared. It was found again in 2007 fixed to the ceiling of a pantry in the artist’s former house. It was in a pitiful condition, but thanks to the skilful restorers of Tallinn’s Kanut conservation center now looks like new.
The painting is now in the possession of the Viljandi city council, and will remain on display in the main hall of the city’s town hall building.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS