With the support of Signet Bank, the Latvian National Museum of Art presents the Jāzeps Grosvalds’ exhibition “I Am Now Committed to Living for Art”

From November 11, 2023, to March 30, 2024, the Latvian National Museum of Art’s main building hosts an extensive retrospective “Esmu tagad noņēmies dzīvot mākslai” or “I Am Now Committed to Living for Art,” dedicated to Jāzeps Grosvalds, a pioneer of Latvian modernism. This exhibition delves into classical modernism and its introduction into Latvian art, exploring Grosvalds’ transformation into a modern young artist. It highlights his carefree yet creatively charged life as a dandy in Paris and on his travels, his evolution into a defender of his homeland, and his role in initiating and reflecting on nationally significant themes. The exhibition also underscores his overall impact on the development of Latvian art.

Jāzeps Grosvalds was a multifaceted and outstanding figure in Latvian art history, bringing a global perspective and new influences to the Latvian art scene. His work intersects with art, letters, diaries, and even modern lifestyles. The exhibition features approximately 460 artworks and archival materials from the early 20th century, complemented by rich research content in various formats, including digital and audio. The exhibition’s title, “I Am Now Committed to Living for Art,” is drawn from a diary entry Grosvalds made in January 1912.

At the turn of the century, Jāzeps Grosvalds introduced the impulses of classical modernism into Latvian art! His works combine delicate sophistication, drama, cosmopolitanism, sensual observations, and national traditions. Thanks to Ieva Kalnača’s years-long dedication and the entire LNMM team’s careful and passionate work in curating this exhibition, we all have the unique opportunity to witness the origins of Latvian modernist art firsthand. Signet Bank is honored to support this significant exhibition and to promote the accessibility of exceptional art to the public. This exhibition serves as a guide, unveiling the events and spirit of the early 20th century through the personality of Jāzeps Grosvalds,

says Ineta Done, Senior Vice President of Signet Bank

The presence of this exhibition in Latvia’s art scene is a special and significant moment! For the first time in 100 years, an exhibition encompasses such a broad collection of Jāzeps Grosvalds’ works – approximately 460 artworks and archival materials, including over 150 pieces from the Värmland Museum in Karlstad. Jāzeps Grosvalds laid the foundation for many processes – he was the first to create a series of works dedicated to Latvian riflemen and refugees, the Eastern cycle inspired by his experiences in ancient Persia, and he dared to not conform to any specific trend or artistic movement. The exhibition takes visitors on an exciting journey through the art collections of Latvia and Sweden, offering insight into museum archives and private collections alike,

adds Ieva Kalnača, the exhibition curator, art historian, and Head of Project Management at the Latvian National Museum of Art.