Biography
Latvian graphic artist and painter Zigurds Gustiņš was born on 27 January 1919 in the Bauska municipality into a peasant family. As a child, he lost his father, who died of tuberculosis. In 1937, Gustiņš graduated from Mežotne Agricultural Secondary School and studied at the Art Academy of Latvia until 1942. While studying, he worked as a draughtsman at the National Cultural Heritage Administration, documenting artefacts. In 1943, he was drafted into the Latvian Legion, where he served as a war correspondent. In 1945, he was captured at the Kurzeme Fortress – one of the main sites of military engagement between the German Army and the Soviet Red Army during World War II – and was deported to the Sovetskaya Gavan camp in the Russian Far East. In 1946, he returned to Latvia and settled in his hometown of Bauska, where he worked as a teacher at Pilsrundāle School. He collaborated with the Bauska Local History Museum, participated in ethnographic expeditions, and documented archaeological excavations. His wife was the artist Biruta Gustiņa (1917–2006).
In 1950, Gustiņš fell ill with meningitis and died on 31 December.[1] [2]
Artistic style
Gustiņš demonstrated artistic talent already during his school years. Latvian artist Valdemārs Tone (1892–1958) noticed his early works and recommended that he apply to the Art Academy of Latvia. Gustiņš studied under several renowned artists and teachers, including painters Augusts Annuss (1893–1984) and Kārlis Miesnieks (1887–1939), as well as graphic artist Rihards Zariņš (1869–1939). [3]
In his graphic works, Gustiņš primarily used pencil, and less frequently ink, charcoal, sanguine, and sepia. He also employed linocut, lithography, and etching techniques. His paintings were mainly executed in watercolour and pastel.
His works depict the landscapes and villages of the Zemgale region. His figurative compositions often portray the reconstruction of Bauska after its destruction during World War II, as well as scenes of rural works. Gustiņš also created portraits and caricatures. His first solo exhibition was held in Bauska in 1950. Later exhibitions were dedicated to the memory of the artist. [4]
Interesting Facts
Gustiņš illustrated Straumēni, a novel by Edvarts Virza (1883–1940), a classic of Latvian literature. [5] He also documented Rundāle Palace, including its buildings and architectural details. His drawings of ethnographic buildings and artefacts are preserved in the collection of the Bauska Museum. [6]
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[1] Māksla un arhitektūra biogrāfijās papildinājumi, 4. sēj.,– Rīga: Latvijas enciklopēdija, 2003.–207. lpp.
[2] https://timenote.info/lv/Zigurds-Gustins (sk. 19.03.2025.)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Māksla un arhitektūra biogrāfijās papildinājumi, 4. sēj.,– Rīga: Latvijas enciklopēdija, 2003.–207. lpp.
[5] Ibid.
[6] https://timenote.info/lv/Zigurds-Gustins (sk. 19.03.2025.)