In 1963, Dolores Hoffmann, a later well-known monumentalist and seasoned lecturer, who mainly made her name as a stained-glass artist, painted the gigantic wall panel “Hommik” (“Morning”) of the corresponding “Rahu” cinema. As far as is known, the earliest monumental painting in fresco technique from the Soviet period in Estonia was completed based on the design of the diploma thesis of the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR. In 2019, the depreciated cinema building was demolished to build a modern shopping center in its place. In the process, Hoffmann’s 74 m² monumental work was also being destroyed. The Department of Heritage Protection and Conservation of EKA made it their mission to save the panel at least partially – approximately half of the painting was dismantled and preserved, and a part of it has reached the collections of the EKA Museum.
This illustrated publication published as a contribution to the exhibition held in the gallery of the Estonian Academy of Arts from August 6 to September 7, 2019 provides a detailed and richly illustrated overview of the dismantling process of Dolores Hoffmann’s giant fresco in all its complexity. The treatment is also found in the monumental painting itself – the historical context of its creation, execution, image analysis, reception, afterlife, etc., as well as conservation philosophy and the history of moving frescoes. The book is illustrated with lively quotes from an interview with the author of the work, Dolores Hoffmann.
The authors of the book’s texts are Hilkka Hiiop, Reeli Kõiv, Andrus Laansalu and Frank Lukk, the editors are Maris Veeremäe and Anneli Randla, the designer is Villu Plink. Publisher: EKA Heritage Protection and Conservation Department in cooperation with EKA Museum.
64 pages, in Estonian and English
EKA Museum, 2019
ISBN 978-9949-594-75-7