Salacgrīva Harbour

Second half of the 20th century, oil on cardboard, 37x50 cm (with frame 47x60x4 cm) /// Arvīds Egle (1905–1977) was a Latvian painter and one of the students of Vilhelms Purvītis’ landscape painting masterclass. A nuanced tonal palette, refined treatment of light and shadow, and a sustained interest in the landscapes and coastal scenery of Latvia characterise his work. Over the course of several summers, the artist worked en plein air in Salacgrīva, where he produced a series of paintings depicting the sea and the harbour. In this painting, the artist portrays the everyday life of the harbour, with fishing boats drawn ashore, utility buildings, and harbour infrastructure. A restrained palette of greyish-brown, bluish, and ochre tones evokes the distinctive atmosphere of the coast. The painting captures an ordinary working day in Salacgrīva harbour while revealing the characteristic environment of a traditional fishing port. /// The artist’s signature is located in the lower right corner of the painting.