Gustav Mootse

Gustav Mootse (July 15, 1885 – November 16, 1957) was an Estonian printmaker and painter.

Early life and education Gustav Mootse was born at the Kristjan-Jaani farm in Võnnu Parish, Estonia, the son of Jaan Mootse (Mootze, 1847–1930) and Ann Mootse (née Kerge, 1848–1918). He learned to read at home and attended the Võnnu village school (1894–1897), and then he attended St George's Parish School in Tartu (1897–1899). He also studied at (1899–1903) and Hugo Treffner High School (1903–1904). Later he improved his skills at the Leipzig School of Graphic Design and Book Illustration (1926–1927).

Mootse fell ill with a pulmonary disease and returned to Estonia in 1918. He was a drawing teacher at (1919–1922) and (1922–1926),

Gustav Mootse was a member of the Estonian Artists' Association. When creating bookplates, Mootse used a lot of name symbols; for example, Karin Lind's bookplate with a crow (cf. Estonian lind 'crow') and a book is expressive. Sometimes name symbols and professional emblems are combined; for example, Tõnis Vint's bookplate features a small songbird (cf. Estonian vint 'finch') and tailoring emblems. There are also many bookplates with images of readers. Bookplates created by Gustav Mootse were exhibited in Moscow in 1962.

Mootse's paintings, mostly watercolors, depict beautiful views of the surroundings of Karksi and Viljandi, parks, and castle ruins in Viljandi. The artist especially loved autumn nature, which is depicted with a lyrical feeling. Mootse also created several high-quality flower paintings. The artist was also interested in symbolism and the world of fairy tales with water nymphs and magic.