Struggle against the Hydra

Nikolai Triik was Estonia’s most important expressionist, who often depicted situations affected by the anxious moods of the outset of the 20^th century. Triik was one of the few Estonian artists to also paint people and groups of people, and also historical allegories and works based on myths. Struggle against the Hydra is a powerful expression of the subjective feeling that every time a new difficulty is overcome, yet another new difficulty arises in its place. This can be associated with public events (the First World War) as well as Triik’s personal life, which went through several low points. His dramatic use of colour merits particular attention: a fluttering red cape and the dark blue sky.