Janis RozentJanis Rozentāālsls( 1866 – 1916)( 1866 – 1916)

Janis RozentJanis Rozentāālsls( 1866 – 1916)( 1866 – 1916)

Janis Rozentals was born on March 18, 1866 nearby town of Saldus. It was the time of national revival in the history of Latvia.

The artist spent his childhood on his native farm.

In 1888 he started study in Petersburg Artistic academy and graduated it in 1894.

We can see Saldus and people in many paintings of him but the most famous is his diploma work – painting “After service”, like in reality everyone can see Saldus St. John’s church and people at it. Besides painting Janis Rozentāls also participated in the social life of town.

After the Service (From Church)

• Two anniversaries were celebrated in 2006 – 150 anniversary of Saldus town and 140 birthday of Janis Rozentāls. You can see art as reality „After service” , it is not painting but real Saldus people in performance, but at the same places as in painting.

• Rozentāls returned to Saldus in 1900 as a well-known artist. He built himself a studio. His dearest wish was, however, to built a home for his parents. Later he returned to Riga.

• The museum was established after WWII in 1947.

Paintings of Janis Rozentāls

• – Janis Rozentals fell in love with Elli Forsell – a famous Finnish vocalist when she came to Riga on concert tour. The wedding took place in 1903.

• Elli became the favourite model of the artist.

Portrait of Elli Rozentāle

A Princess and a Monkey