William Karlis Purve

[luka77]

(also Purvītis, Lett. Vilhelms Kārlis Purvītis, March 3, 1872, farm Yavzhas, near Riga - January 14, 1945, Bad Nauheim) - Latvian landscape painter. One of the founders of modern Latvian art. Founder of Riga's Art Academy and its rector from 1919 to 1934.

He studied at the Art Academy in St. Petersburg in Arkhip Kuinji. He graduated from the Academy with a large gold medal, then traveled through Europe. From 1898 to 1901 was exhibited in Berlin, Munich, Paris and Lyon, the paintings had success with the public and art critics. From 1901 he lived in Riga. In 1902, he traveled to Norway, Iceland and Spitsbergen, where he studied the effects associated with snow. From 1895 to 1910 he served as the union of "World of Art". From 1906 to 1909 he lived in Estonia in 1917-1919 - in Norway.

From the outset Purve has developed his own style as close to Impressionism and Art Nouveau to the north. He was particularly good in spring and winter landscapes. In recent years, he was busy drawing.

From 1909 to 1915 Purve was director of the Riga City Art School, and since 1919 - created by the Rector of the Academy of Arts. The Academy was a Purvita landscape workshop, which he led until 1941. Simultaneously, from 1919 to 1940 and from 1914 to 1944 he was director of the Riga State Art Museum.

In 1944, fearing arrest by Soviet troops, Purve emigrated to Germany. Died Jan. 14, 1945 in Bad Nauheim, where he was receiving treatment. In 1994, the remains of the artist was reburied in Riga.