Research on Art Nouveau Architecture in Riga in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries: History and New Approaches

Abstract

Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture has been extensively explored in Latvian art-historical literature. By the late twentieth century, a certain canon had emerged in the interpretation of the subject, shaped by the research, publications, and authority of Jānis Krastiņš. However, the early twenty-first century has introduced new aspects and additions in terms of terminology, contextual understanding, factual material, and interpretation.

In recent years, the digitisation of periodicals by the National Library of Latvia has significantly expanded the available body of factual information. Knowledge derived from the periodical press has been further enriched by archival research, including studies by younger art historians. Contributions from scholars not only in Latvia but also from Lithuania (Dalia Klajumienė), Estonia (Karin Hallas), and the United Kingdom ( Jeremy Howard) have greatly enhanced this field. The perspective of Eduards Kļaviņš serves as an intriguing and complementary element in the interpretation of Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture.