Nightingale and the Viper, 1991
Oil on canvas
The inspiration for Enn Tegova’s work “Nightingale and the Viper” comes from August Jakobson’s book of the same name, a collection of Estonian folk tales. Jakobson’s book (published in 1947) presents a variety of Estonian folktales about birds and animals, offering short yet deeply meaningful stories often imbued with allegorical lessons. One such tale is the legend of the nightingale and the viper, which speaks of conflict and revenge in nature while subtly conveying human values and warnings.
Enn Tegova is a renowned Estonian artist known for his diverse artistic style and deep interest in national folklore.
Tegova’s work merges the symbolism of Estonian folklore with personal life experiences, blending it with modern artistic aesthetics to create a unique visual expression. The symbolism and aesthetic elements in his works take the viewer on a journey into the depths of Estonian nature and culture.
Tegova recalls how “Nightingale and the Viper” was the first book he bought with money he had saved from ice cream and haircuts: “August Jakobson had a gift for writing beautiful stories and sparked my love for reading. In summer homes, a wagon wheel was hung from the ceiling like a chandelier. I remember the warning that you must not let a viper pass through the hub of the wheel – hell would break loose immediately. While a viper doesn’t logically belong up by the ceiling, people’s caution is great. Peko, however, is the ecumenical mediator between Setumaa and the Protestant church in Võnnu.”
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