The book “The Art Porcelain Workshops Burtnieks and Ripors” is the twentieth publication in the series "Classics of Latvian Art". It opens a less known but not less interesting chapter in the short and bright history of Riga art porcelain.
It started in 1925 when Latvian artists displayed their works for the first time at the L’Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, and had already ended in 1940 when Latvia lost its sovereignty and was annexed by the USSR. After the Second Word War the chief focus was on mass production, and the manufacture of unique pieces after the designs of professional artists was halted. It is important to be reminded, however, that during the interwar period of the 20th century, in tandem with the shortlived success story of the porcelain painting workshop Baltars (1925–1928), so highly regarded today, the Burtnieks (1929–1939) and Ripors (1933–1934) workshops also made their contribution to the production of art porcelain, as did the independent endeavours of several artists.
The series „Classics of Latvian Art” includes books of medium size, offering an easily perceptible information about Latvian classical artists and their works. Similar to the „STUDIJA Library” the series „Classics of Latvian Art” is intended as bilingual (Latvian/English), richly illustrated publications. An attractive supplement at the end of each book is a timeline where the life of Latvian artists can be viewed within the context of world events, revealing connections, parallels or just interesting coincidences.