International contemporary art platform15.06.1869–21.04.1939
Rihards Zariņš
Rihards Hermanovich Zariņš (1869–1939) was a Russian and Latvian artist, graphic designer, bookplate maker, and postage stamp designer. He created currency notes for the Russian Empire and early revolutionary Soviet stamps, contributing significantly to Latvian folk art promotion.
Biography
Rihards Hermanovich Zariņš was born on June 15, 1869, in Kiegel, Russia. He was known as a Russian and Latvian artist, graphic designer, ex-libris (bookplate) maker, postage stamp designer, and graphic artist. Zariņš's works were executed in the spirit of romantic nationalism. He played a significant role in popularizing Latvian folk art. Among his notable achievements was the creation of currency notes for the Russian Empire and the first revolutionary stamps of Soviet Russia. Additionally, Zariņš is the author of the Latvian coat of arms, developed in 1921, as well as the currency notes for Latvia. Rihards Hermanovich lived and worked within three cultural spheres—the Latvian, Russian Empire, and Soviet Union contexts. He died on April 21, 1939, in Riga.
Profile notes