Arvids Egle (1905-1977)

Remarkable painter of Latvian figurative genre, landscape and portrait. Painted mostly in oil technique. In his creative work he paid much attention to a painting's coloring, perfecting variety of particularly delicate nuances of gray color.
At the beginning of his creative work (1930 - ties) he got inspiration from the market in Rezekne. After the World War II he turned to multi figure compositional and industrial landscape painting.

Arvid Egle was born on April 3, 1905 in Jelgava district.

He started studies at Rezekne grammar school and later at Secondary School. Drawing teachers at these schools were painters F. Varslavans and A. Filka. In 1926 in Rezekne Arvids Egle met professor V. Purvitis who encouraged him to try his chances at entrance exams to Latvian Academy of Art.

In 1932 he graduated the Masterclass of Landscape Painting at the Latvian Academy of Art with Diploma Work „Provincial Town of Latgale” (mentor V.Purvitis).

He worked as the drawing teacher at 1-st and 2-nd elementary schools in Rezekne (1934-1941), at the Rezekne State Teachers Institute (1941-1944) and at Painting Department of the Latvian State Academy of the Art (1945-1950). He was executive director at the Department of Drawing (1950 - 1952), a head of the Drawing Department (1952-1966), associate professor (1952), professor (1966).

From 1958 to 1977 Arvids Egle spent summertime in Salacgriva leading practical lessons for the students of the Academy of Art.

Arvids Egle was one of the founders of the Group of Rezekne Artists (1934-1944). He was member of the Artists’ Union since 1945. Was a member of a bureau in Section of Painting and a member of board in the Artists’ Union (1958-1960).

Participated in exhibitions since 1933. One-man exhibitions in Rezekne (1932, 1976).
Memorial exhibitions in Rezekne (1977), Daugavpils (1978), Riga (1980, 1985).

In 1965 he was awarded the title of the Latvian SSR Honoured Art Worker.

Arvids Egle died on November 20, 1977 in Riga.