https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022.70 | 989-1003 | PDF

Freehand Sketching as Part of the Curriculum in Latvia. 1920–1940

Austra Celmiņa-Ķeirāne, Māra Urdziņa-Deruma, Austra Avotiņa, Inguna Karlsone
University of Latvia, Latvia

Abstract. The paper focuses on freehand sketching as a method and part of the curriculum in a historical context. Using material published in the Latvian press in the 1920s–1930s, authors attempt to find out what role sketching played in general and professional education, and what ideas pedagogical and art theoreticians came up with almost a hundred years ago. The study of the publications makes it possible to deduce what forms of sketching have been historically focused on, how sketching as a method has been valued and supported in the methodological programmes of primary and secondary schools, and how it has been integrated into the content of the courses organised by various professional organisations. The study raises four research questions to help clarify these aspects. In addition, the inter-war press highlights areas where sketching skills were needed and broadens the understanding of the applicability of sketching.
18 articles from Latvian periodicals were selected for the study. From the analysis of the texts, it can be concluded that publications mentioning sketching can be divided into several groups. The first group includes descriptions of school teaching or study programmes at various levels, the second group includes articles related to vocational or lifelong learning courses organised by professional organisations and schools, and the third group includes articles devoted to the formulation of the basic principles of sketching as a pedagogical method or as a skill necessary for a profession.

Keywords: education in Latvia, freehand sketching, professional education, sketching history, sketching methodology


In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2022. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2022. Rakstu krājums
Riga, University of Latvia, 2022. 1135 p. Ed. L. Daniela
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2022
ISBN 978-9934-18-911-1