Alias - Niklo de Martell (until 1953. years)
1926. 9. IX Ludza – 1980. 21. II Leicester, UK – graphic.
Born in the family of an employee of the government. Studied with artists - Ya Gailis, J. A. Kumite and cadets. He studied, too, at his brother Yuris Soltana artist, graphics, art educator and art historian.
During the 2. world war drafted into the Latvian Legion was a military speaker.
In 1947. went to Germany and graduated from Althansky school.
Then he went to England. Worked in factory and Rochdale as extern graduated from the University of London, Institute of Export (1954.).
Worked in the American firm Caterpillar in the English branch – Lecture; he was a good specialist in export and Finance, and became Director of this companies.
He was a member of the British art Association, a member of British – Latvian Association of artists and artists of applied art (Chairman since 1964. – 66.)
Actively participated in exhibitions in English and Latvian artists. Has released 11 albums since their graphs. In the second half 40. 50. worked in various graphic techniques (albums - "Niklo de Martell", 1952., "Akmens sprostā", 1955., "Ciešanu laiks").
In his works he used the principles of classical expressionism and Robusta stylized forms. In 1961. he became acquainted with the technique, which was used by Yu Soikans – paint typography and Japanese knife palette (the book of Abstract expressions, 1964; Nikolajs Soikans, 1965; Res Humanae, 1966).
1965. year mainly painted expressionistic landscapes of a large size (1. the prize in the Latvian song festival art exhibition, Toronto, 1965.)
Literature: "Māksla un arhitektūra biogrāfijās", 3. is. - R.: a/s Preses nams, 2000.,- ., I. Šteimane, A. Vilsons., 76. - 77. p.