Born on August 8, 1889 in Jekabpils (Latvia), died on March 22, 1967 in Riga. Painter, stage designer; monumental painting and graphic arts.
Studies at Janis Rozentals' Studio in Riga (1906-1907), Stroganov Art School in Moscow (1907-1908); graduate of the decorative and stage design class at Stiglitz's Central School for Technical Drawing in St. Petersburg (1909-1914). Member (1920-1938) and chairman (1923-1938) of the Riga Artists' Group. From 1919, a stage designer at the National Theatre, National Opera, and several theaters in the province. Chief stage designer of the Daile Theater (1926-1947).
Rector of the Latvian Academy of Arts (1940-1941, 1944-1961) and Head of the Monumental Painting Workshop (1944 - 1956).
References: Otto Skulme. Riga, 1962; Latvian Fine Arts in 1860-1940. Riga, 1986; J. Silins. Latvian Art in 1915 1940, I. Stockholm, 1988; Latvian Academy of Arts / Compiled by I. Burane. Riga, 1989; Unerwartete Begegnung: lettische Avantgarde: 1910--1935. Köln,1990.