Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 2

Adolfs Zardinsh
Gobelin. 1943, paper, mixed technique, 11.9x10.6 cm

1943

About the Item

Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his artistic heritage to publicity. “I am 58, and in five Years my colors and lines will be genuinely perfect…” “I don’t obey anything expert myself and my time…” Indeed, he strictly followed this rule, set up by himself; he lived and created as an outsider, obeying only himself and his time, more accurately – his inner time. And he died without being known and acknowledged by his contemporaries. Adolfs Zardinsh – an artist whose creative work has no analogues in Latvian art history of the XX century. This may seem strange, but may seem strange, but maybe it is only natural that we have only fragmentary information about his life. The beginnings are to be sought during the WWI when the family of his father, Peteris Zardins, moved from Vecpiebalga (Latvia) to Vitebsk (Russia). There is a reason to assume that the development of the artistic personality of young Adolfs Zardinsh was influenced by the bustling art life in Vitebsk. As we know, after October 1917, there lived and worked such artists as Marc Chagall, Kazimir Malevich, Mstislav Dobuzhinski, Robert Falk, Janis Tillbergs, a. o. So, it might not be a coincidence that art critics have discovered the influence of M. Chagall in A. Zardinsh’ art works. About 1920, after his return from Vitebsk to Latvia, A. Zardinsh settles down at his sister’s place not far from Riga, at the Riga Bay, and stays there until the and of his days, leading a solitary life and creating frescoes, histrionic compositions, landscapes, portraits. Participation at there exhibitions of the Independent Artist’s union in Riga (1931, 1933, 1935) doesn’t make him famous or acknowledged. His friendship with the Lithuanian painter Vladas Eidukiavicius doesn’t help Adolf Zardinsh to enter the established artistic circle. He still stays the stubborn hermit whose authorities in art are Rembrandt and Velasquez. He takes over some stylistic elements from his favorite art styles French fauvists, German expressionists, Russian neo – primitivisms. Nothing can divert him from his way - neither the fare with destroys many works, nor the deep poverty verging on hunger. If tacking money for good paints, the artist used the ones he has, if there is no paper or canvas, he paint on any background, frugally and carefully. If the composition does not satisfy him, he cuts the ready work in pieces and, using them, creates a new one. His themes stay the years – high society, casino and theatre, genre scenes and erotica. Year by year the art works by A. Zardinsh turn move refined, his compositions – more harmonious, the choice of colors – more perfect. Many of his works can easily compete with masterpieces seen at famous museums. He drew and painted since childhood, because he was born in a very intelligent family, where education was respected. His father dead at artist’s childhood and mother with 6 children moved to Vitebsk (1910 – 1917). In 1920, Zardins with his family returned to Riga. He attended the Studio of Independent Artists and took part at all exhibitions, which were organised by this studio (1931, 1933, 1935). During these years, he painted a lot and draw with aquarelle and pastel small pictures and wrote idiomatic “diary”. After the 2nd World War he lived in cold and hunger, without decent materials for work. He is an individualist who lived in his own reality. His works are full of classic themes (history, mythology, religion and erotics) but interpretation is paradoxical, associative, allegoric and also subjective. Zardins in his works created so-called “individual mythology”. Exhibitions: 1931, 1933 and 1935 – group exhibitions of the Union of the Independent Artists; Memorial exhibitions: 1998 – Riga; 1999 – Germany (Veclara) 1999 – Moscow, Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. 2006 – Italy 2019 - In Bucharest, at the main building of the Titulescu Foundation „Adolfs Zardins” Catalogue. A.S. Pushkin of Fine art, Moscow, 1999, – Riga: R.: Neputns, 1999. ; L. Pestova „Adolfs Zardins”, Riga.: Neputns, 2004.
  • Creator:
    Adolfs Zardinsh (1890 - 1967, Latvian)
  • Creation Year:
    1943
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.69 in (11.9 cm)Width: 4.18 in (10.6 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Riga, LV
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1437214880552

More From This Seller

View All
Erotic night scene. 1941, paper, mixed technique, 30.4x19.6 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his artistic heritage to publicity. “I am 58, and in five Years my c...
Category

1940s Abstract Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper

Circus. 1957, paper, mixed technique, 19x27.2 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his artistic heritage to publicity. “I am 58, and in five Years my c...
Category

1950s Abstract Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Morning dawn. 2014, paper, watercolor, 48x36 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Morning dawn. 2014, paper, watercolor, 60x50 cm Māris Abiļevs (born 23 April 1956 in Kazakhstan) is a Latvian graphic artist and printer, brother of graphic artist Andris Abiļevs. H...
Category

2010s Contemporary Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Nude. Paper/ watercolor. 75x56 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Nude. Paper/ watercolor. 75x56 cm Malda Muizule Malda Muižule was born in 1937 in the family of a blacksmith. Graduated from Liepāja Applied Arts High School (1...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

By the lake. 1992. Paper/watercolor. 84x59.5 cm.
Located in Riga, LV
By the lake. 1992. Paper/watercolor. 84x59.5 cm. Malda Muizule Malda Muižule was born in 1937 in the family of a blacksmith. Graduated from Liepāja Applied Arts High School (1957)....
Category

1990s Post-Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Dances. 1971. Paper/watercolor. 56x76 cm
Located in Riga, LV
"Dances" is a watercolor artwork from 1971 that portrays orange figures dancing in nature. The medium used is paper, and the dimensions of the artwork are 56x76 cm. The use of vibran...
Category

1970s Post-Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

You May Also Like

Female Nude Study Black Pencil Drawing by G. Debotoiyche
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning woman nude pencil study by Russian painter G. Debotoiyche (20th Century). The representation is very modernistic, with only a few lines drawn to render the whole movement an...
Category

1920s Abstract Expressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Carbon Pencil

Modernist Abstract Nude Figurative Painting in India Ink on Paper
By Louis Nadalini
Located in Soquel, CA
Modern abstracted nude figurative study in bold black ink by Louis Nadalini (American, 1927-1995). Signed in the top left corner under the mat, "L Nadalini"...
Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Waterco...

Materials

Paper, India Ink

Modernist Abstract Nude Pastel Cyan Figure Study
By Louis Nadalini
Located in Soquel, CA
Modern abstracted nude figurative study on a bold cyan background by Louis Nadalini (American, 1927-1995), 1987. Signed and dated "L Nadalini 87" in the low...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel

Reclining Nude - Blue Abstract Figurative
By Louis Nadalini
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract figurative reclining nude by Louis Nadalini (American, 1927-1995). This piece is unsigned, but was acquired with a collection of Nadalini work. Unframed (First image shows w...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Pencil

Florescent Figurative Abstract
By Louis Nadalini
Located in Soquel, CA
Evocative figurative abstract in florescent hues by Louis Nadalini (American, 1927-1995). Signed lower right corner and dated "Louis E Nadalini 88" on verso. Unframed. Louis Nadali...
Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pastel, Gouache

Willem de Kooning, (Reclining Female Nude) A Special Gift For His Dear Friends
By Willem de Kooning
Located in San Francisco, CA
With such fondness, 20th-century artistic titan Willem de Kooning gifted this charcoal sketch on paper to his close East Hampton friends Roger and Lucia Wilcox...
Category

1960s Abstract Expressionist Nude Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

Recently Viewed

View All