Born on May 20, 1895 in Jekabpils (Latvia), died on November 6, 1963 in Moscow. Painter, graphic artist, contributor to art theory and criticism. Studies at the Faculty of Law, the St. Petersburg University, the School of Imperial Society for the Fostering of Art (1913 - 1914), the Architecture Department at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts (1914- 1916), and the Painting Department under K. Petrov-Vodkin (1918). Member of the Riga Artists' Group (1921-1939), active as an ideologist of Modern style. Head of the drawing studio at the Riga People's High School (1924 - 1927), private art studio (1923-1927). Contributor to the Daugava magazine and the editorial staff member of the Latvian Encyclopedia (1928 - 1940). Professor at the Latvian State Academy of Arts (1941, 1945-1963).
References: J. Skulme. Uga Skulme. Riga, 1995; Latvian Fine Arts in 1860 -1940. Riga, 1986; J. Silins. Latvian Art in 1915 - 1940, I - III. Stockholm, 1988-1993; Latvian State Academy of Arts / Compiled by I. Burane. Riga, 1989