Painter.
Aleksandrs Zviedris spent his childhood years in Riga, but then his family moved to Moscow, where from 1914 to 1921 he studied in Zemste school, later attended a business school. As a young man he often visited museums and Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, which of all the above inspired to focus on art studies. The future painter attended the workshop of Janis Niedrite, who at that time was working in Archangels, Northern Russia. After his return to Riga in 1921, to earn money he worked at the Port of Riga, at the same time studying at the Faculty of Linguistics at the University of Tartu.
Studied painting from D. Gailitis (since 1928), drawing at the class of K. Brencens at the Art Academy of Latvia (1934-1935), the Studio of J. R. Tillbergs (1938-1940).
In 1938 he went to Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark on a boat that he himself had rebuilt, visiting art repositories that were located in these countries. In 1939 he traveled around the Europe – England, France, Holland and Germany, at the same time analyzing museums of the places he visited. The travel around Scandinavia on a yacht became a major source of inspiration for all of his works, later on becoming one of the most popular and productive Latvian marine painters.
Member of the Artists’ Union since 1944. Exhibited since 1932. He had organized about 50 solo exhibitions in Riga, Tukums, Jurmala, Ventspils, Liepaja and other Latvian cities. Participated in many group exhibitions.
His works are exhibited in Latvia and other countries like in Germany, Japan, England, Sweden, Austria, Lebanon, USA, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Chile and Egypt.
Aleksandrs Zviedris worked in oil paint and watercolor techniques. The theme of marine took the central role in his works. He also painted landscapes, views of industrial landscapes of social realism like the building of HES of Plavinas, ports and urban landscapes. From 1926 he made violins. He also had led an art studio in Tukums, Valmiera and Riga. Aleksandrs Zviedris was one of the founders of the yacht club „Daugava”.
He was awarded with a medal “For Heroic Work in the Great Patriotic War” (1946), „ For outstanding work” (1950). Received prizes at the art competition of the fisherman kolhoz “Selga” (1981, 1983). Was the Artist of many merits (1990).
Source:
Māksla un arhitektūra biogrāfijās. Riga, 2003, IV, p.156
Zeile, P. Aleksandrs Zviedris. Gleznotājs un vijoļmeistars. Riga, 1995.
