Ex libris van R. Tammelo 1942

Arkadio Laigo created this bookplate for R. Tammelo using wood engraving, a technique that demands precision and patience. Laigo, an Estonian artist, lived through a tumultuous period, witnessing his country's struggle for independence and the subsequent Soviet occupation. This piece reflects the quiet dignity of intellectual life amidst such upheaval. The image depicts a man deeply engrossed in a book, framed by a window that offers a glimpse of nature. He is at his desk, surrounded by the tools of scholarship. Consider the personal meaning of a bookplate: a mark of ownership and identity, a celebration of knowledge, and perhaps a quiet act of resistance against forces that seek to suppress individual thought. It's a small, intimate artwork that speaks volumes about the values we hold dear, especially during times of adversity. The scene evokes a sense of inner peace, even as the world outside may be in turmoil.