Karl Pärsimägi

In addition to the newer styles, such as Fauvism, he found himself influenced by Estonian folk art and by Konrad Mägi, who was a teacher there.

He moved to Paris in 1937 with the financial support of his father, who had finally become reconciled to his son's career choice.

While there, he studied at the Académie Colarossi and came under the influence of Paul Cézanne, although he became known as the "Estonian Matisse".

At the outbreak of World War II, unlike most other Baltic artists, he refused to return to his homeland, which was now occupied by the Russians.

Because of his support for Estonian independence, his works were denied official recognition by the Soviet Union, but interest was renewed after 1991.