Maaalused

Maalused is an Estonian term that refers to paintings, i.e., works of visual art created by applying pigment to a surface. It is the plural form of the noun maalaus and is used in art criticism, gallery labels, and museum collections to describe figurative, abstract, and other painted works.

In everyday and professional usage, maaalused can denote a single painting within a collection or the body of paintings produced by an artist. The term encompasses a range of media and techniques used to create painted works, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera, fresco, and mixed media. The choice of material and technique often reflects both the artist’s intention and the historical period.

Maalused play a central role in Estonia’s art history. Estonian painters have produced works across various movements, from 19th-century national romanticism to 20th-century modernism and contemporary practices. Museums and galleries in Estonia, such as the Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn, curate and showcase maaalused to illustrate stylistic developments, cultural themes, and regional identities. Exhibitions may present individual artists’ maaalused, thematic surveys, or retrospective overviews alongside contemporary painting practices.

See also: maalimine (to paint), maal (a painting), Estonian art.