Biography
Latvian graphic artist Herberts Mangolds was born on May 16, 1901, into a civil servant’s family in Sloka, Jūrmala. He chose a military career as his main occupation. From 1918 to 1920, he took part in the Latvian War of Independence. In 1920, he graduated from the Latvian Artillery Cadet School and completed several military training courses. Until 1940, he served in the Latvian army, where he held an officer position.
In 1941, he was arrested and deported to Norilsk in northern Russia. After his release, he worked as a decorative artist and painter at a coal miners’ club. It was not until 1968 that he was able to return to Latvia. The artist died on March 29, 1978, in Rīga.[1]
Artistic style
Alongside his military career, Mangolds enrolled at the Art Academy of Latvia in 1928, graduating in 1933 from the graphic arts studio led by Rihards Zariņš (1869–1939). He worked in the technique of etching, though he later devoted particular attention to watercolor.
Mangolds’s work is dominated by military themes, scenes from the life of soldiers, and urban landscapes of Rīga. The artist presented his works at exhibitions organized by the Latvian Artists’ Union and the Latvian Cultural Foundation.[2]
Interesting Facts
Mangolds was the designer of one of the first uniforms for the Latvian army. In 1931, he was awarded the Order of the Three Stars.[3]