Painter (1904-1966). He was born on May 18, 1904 in Jekabpils district Daudzese parish in the worker’s family. He was keen on drawing at an early age. In 1921 K. Mudelis becomes the student of the State Art’s Academy and studies with such the famous masters as J. Feders, G. Eliass and V. Purvitis. His years of study continue for a long time, with interruptions. Only in 1934 he finishes the Art Academy of Latvia the graphic workshop of R. Zarins; diploma – “In a winter evening” (“Ziemas vakarā”).
From 1934 to 1935 K. Mudelis studies in the Art School of Paris in the workshop of the Professor Andre Lotko. After the graduation he travels a lot and work intensively. In 1936 the artist returns to the Homeland, full of different travel impressions, he wants to paint for his nation, drawing native nature’s strength from his heart.
In 1937 K. Mudelis participates in the Art exhibition of Zemgale, which takes place from the 28th of August to the 7th of September in the Jelgava Palace. He exposes two paintings: “Forest in a March day” (“Mežs marta dienā”) and “Forest spring” (“Meža avotiņš”).
Since 1938 K. Mudelis works in the Educational Administration of Jekabpils district as a teacher artist. In October 1945 he starts to work in the School of Applied Art in Daugavpils as a teacher and his whole life to the last breath was connected with this city. K. Mudelis worked in the school until 1951, while school was in Daugavpils. After it’s moving to another city a very hard period of the artist’s life starts: he got epilepsy.
Painting has always been the main meaning of life of K. Mudelis. At that period he paints a lot, all alone visiting various districts of Latgale, as well as the most beautiful places of Daugavpils and its. After the current improvement of state of health K. Mudelis begins to prepare for his personal exhibition, which was opened in May 1956.
On May 29, 1956 in the town newspaper “Krasnoje Znamja” the article with the title “Landscapes of K. Mudelis” (“K. Mudeļa ainavas”) appears, which tells that behind Griva, in Judovka lives an old painter – the landscapist K.E. Mudelis, who has created many paintings in his life. Master’s creative work is characterized as follows: “Landscapes of Kārlis Mudelis depict scenes of Latvian nature. Such are his paintings “View on the river Daugava” (“Skats uz Daugavu””), “Forest” (“Mežs”), “Hives” (“Stropi”), “Beams” (“Kūļi”).
The last burst of creative energy of K. Mudelis refers to 1960-1961. He paints a lot of different landscapes, depicting his favorite little places in different seasons of the year in the surroundings of Daugavpils, revealing his romantic soul and his inexhaustible love for native nature, to be reflected in his paintings as in a mirror.
He died on October 1, 1966 in Daugavpils being alone, almost poor, misunderstood and unrecognized. He was buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Daugavpils.
Connection with Daugavpils:
He lived and worked in Daugavpils.
Photo: http://latgalesdati.du.lv/