Jazeps Grosvalds
Encyclopedia
Jazeps Grosvalds (April 24, 1891 – February 1, 1920) was a Latvia
n painter
from Riga
. He is now regarded as one of Latvia's finest painters and has several works on display in the Latvian National Museum of Art. His style is a combination of European Modernism and Abstract with a distinctly Latvian influence. A student of Simon Hollósy
's school in Munich
, Grosvalds went to Paris in 1910 where he studied at several private academies until 1914. In addition to this, he immersed himself in the flourishing art scene of the time, studying both modern art (Cézanne, Degas, Renoir
) as well as the old masters.
In 1914, just as war was breaking out over Europe, Grosvalds returned to Riga with Konrads Ubans, Valdemars Tone and Aleksandrs Derevins. They were determined to create something new - an exciting, challenging and emphatically Latvian art movement. They set up the artists' circle Zala puke (Green Flower), which transformed over time firstly into the Expressionists' Group and then the Riga Artists Group.
Grosvalds pioneered a new theme in Latvian art by portraying scenes of war - soldiers and refugees alike. When Latvia found itself in the war
, Grosvalds joined up for active service and relayed this experience into his art (cf. The Refugees, 1915-1917 series, and Latvian Riflemen
, 1916-1917 series). Grosvalds joined the British Expeditionary Group as a Russia
n officer in 1917 and travelled to the Near East; these experiences were documented in the Oriental series, 1918–1919, and the Tableaux-Persans essay.
After demobilisation, Grosvalds worked for the Embassy of Latvia in Paris.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
from Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
. He is now regarded as one of Latvia's finest painters and has several works on display in the Latvian National Museum of Art. His style is a combination of European Modernism and Abstract with a distinctly Latvian influence. A student of Simon Hollósy
Simon Hollósy
Simon Hollósy ; was a Hungarian painter. He was considered one of the greatest Hungarian representatives of 19th century Naturalism and Realism. Hollósy was not productive as an artist: he was in search of atmospheres and his productivity was confined to teaching...
's school in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Grosvalds went to Paris in 1910 where he studied at several private academies until 1914. In addition to this, he immersed himself in the flourishing art scene of the time, studying both modern art (Cézanne, Degas, Renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. As a celebrator of beauty, and especially feminine sensuality, it has been said that "Renoir is the final representative of a tradition which runs directly from Rubens to...
) as well as the old masters.
In 1914, just as war was breaking out over Europe, Grosvalds returned to Riga with Konrads Ubans, Valdemars Tone and Aleksandrs Derevins. They were determined to create something new - an exciting, challenging and emphatically Latvian art movement. They set up the artists' circle Zala puke (Green Flower), which transformed over time firstly into the Expressionists' Group and then the Riga Artists Group.
Grosvalds pioneered a new theme in Latvian art by portraying scenes of war - soldiers and refugees alike. When Latvia found itself in the war
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Grosvalds joined up for active service and relayed this experience into his art (cf. The Refugees, 1915-1917 series, and Latvian Riflemen
Latvian Riflemen
This article is about Latvian military formations in World War I and Russian Civil War. For Red Army military formations in World War II see Latvian Riflemen Soviet Divisions....
, 1916-1917 series). Grosvalds joined the British Expeditionary Group as a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n officer in 1917 and travelled to the Near East; these experiences were documented in the Oriental series, 1918–1919, and the Tableaux-Persans essay.
After demobilisation, Grosvalds worked for the Embassy of Latvia in Paris.