Seljatoodud

Seljatoodud is an Estonian term used as a participial adjective meaning “shown from the back” or “presented from the rear.” It is formed from selja, meaning back, and toodud, the past participle of tooma “to present/bring,” and appears in discussions of visual representation and media in Estonian.

In art, photography, cinema and sculpture, seljatoodud orientation describes works where the subject is depicted with the back facing the viewer, or where the back is the most visible surface. Such depictions can emphasize anonymity, conceal the subject’s identity, or invite viewers to project their own interpretations. The term is used in descriptive analyses, catalog notes, and critical essays rather than as a formal art-historical category.

Usage notes: seljatoodud is relatively specialized and mainly found in Estonian-language sources. When translating, English texts may use “back-facing,” “rear-facing,” or “depicted from behind,” depending on context. The term is often paired with modifiers such as seljatoodud portree (back-facing portrait) or seljatoodud kaader (back-facing shot).

See also: back view, rear view; front view; portraiture terminology in visual arts.