Francisks Varslavans (1899–1949)

Clowns
1926–27, canvas, oil, 103,5x75 cm 15 000 EUR / 10 542,06 LVL

Reproduced in:
• I. Vilčuka “Francisks Varslavāns” – R.: “Rēzeknes latgaliešu kultūras biedrība sadarbībā ar Rēzeknes
Mākslas un dizaina vidusskolu”, 2013., – p. 305, il. p. 17 (il. 7), p. 158.
• IV Francisks Varslavāns exhibition of paintings on 13 June 1926.
• Reproduced in magazine “Atpūta”

Francisks Varslavāns. The style of the outstanding painter from Latgale, who had studied in Petersburg, is akin
to the manner of Jāzeps Grosvalds and other classic Latvian modernist painters. The painting “Clowns”, which has been
reproduced a couple of times, is the apex of his creative work. It depicts an expressive fi gure on the background of
geometrical architectural elements in “incorrect” perspective, bringing into the classic fi gural composition a convincing accent of cubism.
The content of the painting can be construed as an existential allegory – the fi gures of clowns, their make-up and expressive
poses in the theatrical environment with the infi nite sky create an impression of a tragic message expressed in the form of a comedy.