Jānis Roberts Tilbergs
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Jānis Roberts Tilbergs (also Tillbergs), Latvian painter, born on July 2, 1880 in Rīga, Latvia, died 1972. Father Kristaps Tilbergs, theater technician, mother Berta Tilbergs née Litovska. Wife Olga Tilbergs née Strekunova. [1]
Along with Ludolfs Liberts, Tilbergs was one of the outstanding members of the realism art movement of Latvia. [2]. While Tilbergs also worked as sculptor, he specialized in graphic arts and painting--where his works included genre (everyday life), landscapes and larger scale works such as altarpieces and murals. However, he is most noted for his work as a portraitist.
Tilbergs graduated the Rīga School of Art studying with Dimitriyev Kaukazska, then went on to complete his Masters degree at the St. Petersburg Art Academy in 1909, studying there with D. Kardovska, submitting as his masterwork "Pietà". [1] [3]
His artwork appeared in publication already in 1904 in the journal Austrums where he illustrated A. Niedra's story Bads un Mīlestība (Hunger and Love), and he went on to illustrate a number of other books. He was the graphic designer for the satircal journal Svari[1] [2] [3], published in St. Petersburg and Rīga [3]; as well, he illustrated for the Russian journals Serij Volk and Novaja Rusj. [1]
Tilbergs helped organize and exhibited at the first Latvian art exhibition of 1910 [1] [3]. Over his career, he exhibited at various international venues (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, England, et al.) as an ambassador of Latvian art and in one man shows in Rīga (1934, 1960) and Tallinn (1961).
Significant works include his portrait of Rainis (1925)[4], the composer Emīlis Melngailis (1946), his self-portrait (1951), and others. His works are viewable in Riga museums, the Presidential palace, and in the private collection of the Hotel Bergs. One of his more notable sculptures was that of the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko as part of Lenin's "Plan of Monumental Propaganda" in Petrograd. [3]
Along with Rihards Zariņš and Ludolfs Liberts, Tilbergs also designed the santīm and lat coins (various denominations). For the 1924-1926 mintings of the lat, Tilbergs chose a palm branch motif, popular in Europe. (His designs were subsequently replaced by arists Gunārs Lūsis un Jānis Strupulis who chose more native Latvian themes from nature and agriculture.) [5]
Tilbergs devoted a great part of his career to teaching: art instructor in Riga (1911-1916) and Vitebsk (1918-1919); master of his own studio (1932-1940, 1941-1944); professor at the Latvian Academy of Art and head of the figurative art department (1921-1932), later, head of the figurative art department at the State Academy of Art (1947-1957). [1] [3]
- ^ a b c d e f g Unāms, Žanis. Es Viņu Pazinu (I Knew Him, Biographical Dictionary). Grand Haven, Michigan: Raven. 1975 reprint of 1939 edition.
- ^ a b Latvijas Avīze website
- ^ a b c d e f g Samsons, V. et al. Latvijas PSR Mazā Enciklopēdija (Concise Latvian S.S.R. Encyclopedia) 3rd ed. Vol. III. Riga, Latvia: Zinatne. 1970.
- ^ this date may be 1924 as Rainis' diary of January 2, 1924 [1] mentions Tilbergs in connection with painting a portrait of Rainis
- ^ Bank of Latvia website
