Latvia is in mourning following the recent death of Jānis anmanis, a celebrated artist whose work spanned painting, graphic art, poetry, and music. Anmanis, who passed away november 9, 2025, at age 81, was honored Friday with a funeral service in Riga, leaving behind a legacy of creativity cultivated over six decades [[1]]. A recipient of the Order of the Three Stars in 1998 [[2]], Anmanis’s diverse artistic contributions considerably impacted Latvian culture and will continue to inspire future generations.
A Final Farewell to Versatile Artist Jānis Anmanis
Riga mourned the loss of Latvian artist Jānis Anmanis with a funeral service held at the First Forest Cemetery Chapel on Friday, November 14, 2025. The acclaimed painter, graphic artist, poet, and composer passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, just shy of his 82nd birthday, leaving a significant void in the Latvian art world and the hearts of his loved ones. His death represents an immeasurable loss for Latvian culture.
A Creative Legacy Spanning Decades
Jānis Anmanis (1943-2025) was a true polymath, excelling not only as a painter but also as a graphic artist, draftsman, performance artist, poet, and composer. His life was a continuous artistic expression – free, bold, and brimming with color. He graduated from the Janis Rozentals Riga Art Secondary School in 1963 and the Department of Industrial Art at the Latvian Academy of Art in 1969, where his graduation piece was an impressive mural in the Academy’s cafeteria. Even in this early work, a sense of spaciousness and daring emerged, qualities that would become hallmarks of his art. Anmanis’s body of work encompassed miniature landscape paintings and large-scale multi-figure compositions, utilizing oil, watercolor, and tempera. His pieces often reflected historical themes, drawing inspiration from figures and events in world and cultural history, while incorporating literary storytelling, detail, and symbolic references in a romantic harmony.
Beyond painting, Anmanis illustrated books and press publications, worked as a set designer at the Riga Film Studio, and composed music. He actively participated in exhibitions since 1965, organizing solo shows in Latvia and abroad, including in Japan, the United States, India, France, Germany, and elsewhere. Since 1970, he was a member of the Latvian Artists’ Union, actively involved in its activities, serving as chairman of the Art Days Action Committee and organizing basketball blitz tournaments, fostering a creative atmosphere and accessibility to the arts. In 1998, Jānis Anmanis was awarded the Order of the Three Stars in recognition of his contribution to art.
A Vibrant Personality and Lasting Influence
Jānis Anmanis was a vibrant and multifaceted personality, a man who captivated audiences with his energy and passion. He aimed to cultivate a different, freer, and more accessible understanding of art among his fellow citizens, as well as encourage active participation in artistic processes. “Art must have a soul, and if it does, then the painting sings,” Anmanis once said, reflecting the emotional depth present in his work. His creative activity spanned more than six decades, demonstrating a continuous desire to experiment and explore new forms of expression. Even while facing health challenges and losing the ability to walk, the artist continued to create, demonstrating his inexhaustible creative power. His perspective on the world, often reflecting both human emotions and the beauty of nature, will inspire future generations of artists and art enthusiasts. The news of his passing comes as the Latvian art community continues to navigate a changing cultural landscape.
The artist’s passing is a great loss not only to his family and friends but also to the entire Latvian art community. Jānis Anmanis’s creations will remain as an indelible legacy in the canon of Latvian culture, serving as a testament to his undeniable talent and unique, colorful life.
