Exhibition “Mārtiņš Buclers: Photographer, Photo Manufacturer, Educator, Publisher”

From 10 July to 31 October 2026, an exhibition created by Turaida Museum Reserve, “Mārtiņš Buclers: Photographer, Photo Manufacturer, Educator, Publisher”, will be on display at Sigulda Railway Station Square. It is dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the birth of the prominent photographer, public figure, publisher and industrialist Mārtiņš Buclers. The exhibition opens on 10 July at 15:00.

One period of M. Buclers’ life was connected with Sigulda: after obtaining his professional certificate in 1897, he opened his first studio there. It was located on the banks of the Gauja, near the old ferry crossing, on the grounds of the then “Villa Franc”, later the children’s sanatorium. M. Buclers photographed the areas around Sigulda, Līgatne and Turaida and printed postcards that have since become rare.

Mārtiņš Buclers (12 December 1866–14 April 1944) was born in Zemgale, in the “Juču” homestead in Sauka Parish, to a farming family. After completing the local parish school, he went to the Irlava Teachers’ Seminary, where he passed his teacher examinations as an external candidate. For a time, he did all kinds of work on his father’s farm. As he himself wrote: “I went to the forest for firewood, spent a large part of the day grinding, and in the evening played the trumpet.” Mārtiņš was a skilled musician who took part in gatherings in his own and neighbouring parishes, playing the trumpet and violin.

Mārtiņš was introduced to photography in his youth by Brunovskis, a photographer in nearby Eķengrāve (now Viesīte). In 1894 he became a photography apprentice at R. Borhard’s studio. At that time, learning the trade from an experienced photographer took at least three years. Later, in 1902, he opened a photographic supplies shop in Riga. The shop at 36 Aleksandra (Brīvības) Street became an informal meeting place and advice centre for Latvian photography enthusiasts.

Until 1915, Mārtiņš Buclers actively took part in photography exhibitions in Latvia and abroad. In 1903 he began manufacturing photographic plates, which he named “Rekordplates”. At first the plates were made by hand; later, machines were used. Plates manufactured by M. Buclers received several awards: in Kyiv in 1908; in Liepāja in 1909; in Jelgava and Riga in 1910; and in Kyiv and Tambov in 1911. In 1914, Mārtiņš Buclers also began producing “Bromrekords” photographic paper.

Mārtiņš Buclers made a significant contribution to the development of photography in Latvia. He encouraged photographers’ education by publishing books in Latvian and establishing the Latvian Photographic Society (LFB), as well as organising its activities, including exhibitions. He inspired many of his contemporaries to take up photography and document important events and changes in the country.

M. Buclers is buried in Sigulda Cemetery, near “Photographers’ Hill” and the site of his first photographic studio. From there, Latvian photography spread throughout Latvia and became deeply rooted among the people.

Exhibition creators: Maira Dudareva, Ieva Stūre, Erlands Rubīns, Ija Kivlina, Anete Jenča, Egils Jemeļjanovs. Exhibition installation: Jurijs Fjodorovs, Uldis Jēkabsons, Jānis Spila, Gita Dāldere. The project was created in collaboration with Sigulda Municipality and the Turaida Museum Reserve Support Society. Photograph from the collection of Viesīte Museum “Sēlija”.