Aglona

1980, oil on cardboard, 83x98 cm (with frame 85,5x100,5x3,5 cm) /// Valdis Bušs (1924–2014) is one of the most prominent and expressive Latvian landscape painters, celebrated for his rich use of colour and distinctive, dynamic approach. The painting created in 1980 with the view of artist's native region – Latgale. In the foreground and in the central part of the composition pictured houses which are arranged close to each other and especially accented their roofs. The scene is complemented by two stylized human figures. The sky area is depicted with expressive brushstrokes and contrasts of dark and bright on which background stands out Basilica of the Assumption in Aglona, which is one of the Latgale’s symbols. Significant that the painting was created in 1980 in the year when Pope John Paul II conferred the church the status of basilica. The painting is designed with expressive, pastose and thick brushstrokes. To amplify the painting’s surface texture Bušs designed imprints by using the brush stem. /// The artist's signature and date are on the lower left side of the painting.