19 x 25

Janis Kalmite (1907. 02. III Latvia, Valmiera - 1996. Minneapolis, USA)

Janis Kalmite was a Latvian expressionist painter and among the best-known artists in the Latvian post-World War II diaspora community. His name is associated with the development of a singular theme – the rija.

His father was a carpenter who later rented land. Kalmite’s first art teacher was Aleksandr Petrov. 1935 – graduating Art Academy of Latvia by guidance G. Eliass with diploma work “Transporting of clover”. Artist was member of Mukusalas artist’s cooperation. 1944 – emigration to Germany, 1950 – emigration to USA.1966 – Honor Prize from North America’s Latvian society (painting “The plow”;1987 – elected as a honor member of America’s Latvian society;1980 – one part of his paintings are donated to Valmiera’s museum.Artist made 100 solo exhibitions in his life time.He illustrated books in Latvia, Germany and America.

At his creative life artist tried make Latvian art, not only in subject (plow, threshing barn and field) but also made his painting language with symbols.