VISUALISATION OF THE HUMAN BEING IN PERIODICALS “PAGALMS”, “ROTA”, “AUSTRUMS”, AND “MĀJAS VIESA MĒNEŠRAKSTS” IN THE 1880s AND 1890s

Abstract

Examination of the techniques used for depicting human beings in periodicals of the second half of the 19th century demonstrates how Latvian visual identity was formed at a time when the formation of national identity took place. The article is an attempt to characterise visualisation of the human being in the Latvian magazines “Pagalms” (1881–1882), “Rota” (1884–1887), “Austrums” (1885–1906), and “Mājas Viesa Mēnešraksts” (1895–1905). The development of art dynamics is revealed by characterising the principles of depiction of the human being in connection with the spirit of the time, i.e., national identity. Periodicals were the most accessible medium of the 19th century which formed and in which the concepts of Latvian identity were formed. At the same time the visual material of periodicals provides a general notion not only of the process of identity formation but also helps to reveal how an artist perceives a human being, as well as gives an insight into the use of formal stylistics, art techniques, and the scope of artistic influences.