Nude with dolls

Born in Jelgava, Latvia as Janis Valter, Johannes Walter-Kurau began his artistic education in Russia in 1889, as a student at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. After completing his studies in Berlin and Paris, he took part in exhibitions all over Europe, notably as part of the Berlin Secession and Mir Iskusstva, and developed a reputation as a refined colourist specializing in portraits and landscapes.

The 140th Anniversary Exhibition of his work will begin at Gederts-Eliass Museum in the artist's native city, Jelgava (Mitau), on 7 February 2009 before moving to Museum Zitadelle in Berlin.