Rihards Zarins
LatviaBiography of Richard Zarinš
Richard Zarinš was a Russian and Latvian artist, graphic designer, and popularizer of Latvian folk art. He was born on June 27, 1869, in the Livonian Governorate. His father was a manager on the Kiegeļi estate, but later moved to a paper factory in Ligatne where Richard spent his childhood.
At the recommendation of the director K. Valcer and architect V. Neumann, Zarinš moved to St. Petersburg in 1887 to continue his studies at the Central School of Technical Drawing of Baron A. L. Stieglitz. After a year, he became a student of the school and studied under V. V. Matē. He graduated in May 1895 with honors in wood engraving and etching.
Zarinš further honed his skills by studying engraving and lithography at private engraving workshops in Munich in 1896 and etching at V. Unger's workshop in Vienna from 1897 to 1898. He also visited Paris and Rome in 1899.
In 1889, Zarinš returned to Russia and worked at the Expedition for the Preparation of State Papers (EZGB) in St. Petersburg until the autumn of 1919. During his time at EZGB, he started as a scientific illustrator and eventually became the artistic director. From 1912 to 1918, he also worked as a teacher at the Higher Art Workshops in Riga.
In May 1919, Zarinš moved to Riga at the invitation of the Latvian government to lead the Higher Art Workshops, which later transformed into the Latvian Academy of Art. He established the national school of graphics and became the head of the department. In 1934, he received the title of professor.
Zarinš also served as the director of the Riga State Printing House from 1920 to 1934. He traveled throughout Latvia, collecting samples of Latvian folk ornamentation. He is considered the founder of the collection of Latvian ethnography.
Alongside another renowned Latvian artist, J. Madernieks, Zarinš founded the first private art schools and courses. He organized art and craft exhibitions and initiated the creation of collections of folk art in Latvian museums.
Richard Zarinš passed away on April 21, 1939, and was buried in Meža Kapi, Riga. He was known for his illustrations, book designs, posters, and drawings for postage stamps, invitations, and banknotes. He is regarded as the first master of etching, lithography, and applied graphics in Latvia.
Zarinš was the pioneer of Latvian bookplates and created approximately 75 bookplates, including three for EZGB in 1905 and 1918. He also designed the state emblem of Latvia in 1921.
Throughout his career, Zarinš designed numerous Russian and Latvian banknotes, as well as several Latvian coins. His work included the Russian banknotes of 1, 3, 5, 10, 25 rubles, and one side of the 100 and 500 ruble notes.
In recognition of his contributions, a memorial exhibition was held in Riga in 1969, commemorating the centenary of Zarinš's birth. In 2001, his stamp design, "Saint George the Victorious," from the 1914 series "For the Benefit of Soldiers and their Families," was chosen as the best Russian stamp of the 20th century in a nationwide competition.
