Jaan Vahtra

Jaan Vahtra (23 May 1882 – 27 January 1947) was an Estonian modernist artist, printmaker, writer and educator. He was among the core members (and early leaders) of the Group of Estonian Artists , founded in 1923 and often described as Estonia’s first avant-garde art group. Konstruktiivsed rütmid (portfolio, 1924)

Writings Vahtra also published memoirs and other prose; works commonly listed include Minu noorusmaalt (I–III, 1934–1936) and Ohvrikivi (1937).

Legacy Vahtra died in 1947 and was buried in Põlva cemetery.

In November 2025, Vahtra’s Cubist painting Harbor (1923)—described by Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) as linked to Estonia’s early avant-garde—was reported to have resurfaced after decades out of public view and sold at auction for €200,000.