Raimonds Staprans, a distinguished Latvian-American artist and playwright, passed away on January 29, 2026, at the age of 99. Known for his vibrant still lifes and landscapes, Staprans also gained recognition for his plays that often explored the complex history of his native Latvia. His unique artistic style, characterized by bold colors and flattened perspectives, created a compelling tension between representation and abstraction.

Born in Riga, Latvia, on October 13, 1926, Staprans' early life was marked by the turmoil of World War II. He and his family fled Latvia in 1944, eventually immigrating to the United States in 1947. He pursued his artistic education at the University of Washington and later earned a Master of...