The works of August Ivans in the context of development of Latvian art culture in the 1920s – 1930s

Abstract

The problematic of studying Latvian art culture after declaring independence in 1918 did not receive due coverage in the works of national researchers. Based on the new facts of artistic biography of the prominent cultural figure of Latvia –  the painter August Ivans (1895-1975), analysis is conducted on the isolated phenomena of the Latvian art culture of the 1920s – 1930s, namely the establishment of higher art education in the Republic of Latvia. The preserved sayings of the painter allow revealing the role of graduates of Russian schools of art in formation of the Latvian Academy of Arts. The author highlights the painter’s role in the process of democratization of the country's art life, which consists in his work on illustrations to the satirical magazines. The establishment of art education in Latvia is reviewed on the basis of life and creative path of the Latvian painter August Ivans for the first time. The role of the graduates of Russian art schools in formation of the Latvian Academy of Arts is also noted. In the 1920s – 1930s, the art life in Latvia became more public, and artists acquired more opportunities to exhibit their paintings. More artists were able to sustain themselves by selling their works. Printing numerous satirical publications designed by A. Ivans led to the process of democratization of art life of the country. This article is also first to publish the information on the death and burial place of the artist.