Born on June 27, 1869 in Vilkeni district (Latvia), died on April 21, 1939 in Riga. Graphic artist. Studies at the School of Kurzeme Knighthood in Griva, School of Imperial Society for the Fostering of Art (1886); a graduate of V. Mate's etching class at Stiglitz's Central School for Technical Drawing (1888-1895) in St. Petersburg. Participation in the activities of Rukis artists' group, member of the Latvian Association for the Promotion of Arts. Further studies in Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Paris. Employment at the Russian Imperial Printing Office in St. Petersburg (1899-1919), its technical director since 1905. In 1919, after return to Latvia, he directed the Government Printing House (1919-1933). Professor, head of the graphic arts workshop at the Latvian Academy of Arts (1921-1938).
Apart from countless works of applied and commercial graphic art, Zarins made book-illustrations, etchings, lithographs, drawings, water colors, caricatures, and ex libris. Publications on art and ethnography (3-volume Latvian Ornament).
References: Latvian Fine Arts in 1860-1940. Riga, 1986; J. Silins. Latvian Art in 1800-1914, I. Stockholm; Latvian State Academy of Arts. / Compiled by I. Burane. Riga, 1989.