The personality and oeuvre of Augusts Annuss (1893–1984) is one of the most brilliant phenomena of Latvian painting. Since the twenties of the twentieth century, the art of Augustus Annus has been associated with the scope of talent and the power of vitality in visually gorgeous paintings. Annus's unique "great" way of expression promoted general interest in a realistically rendered mythical "great" world, which is essential for a dynamic sense of life and a philosophy of world perception, which is seen in the Latvian way of life and is manifested in scenes from the life of Latvian fishermen and farmers.
Augusts Annuss has also made decorations for many productions in the theater and opera of his native Liepāja. His activity in various fine art associations has been active and productive: the Independent Artists Union (1924–1928), the Latvian Artists Association and the "Sadarbs" Association of Artists (1931–1938), as well as participation in art exhibitions in Latvia and abroad.
Augusts Annuss lived a long and rich life. In the story of his work and life, two periods are closely connected at the intersections of content and form. The first is the time in the new country of Latvia, and the second is the time from 1944 to 1984 in exile in Germany and the USA. Art historian Jānis Siliņš offers four stages of artistic creation. The first 1922-1926 year as a stage of decorative naturalism; the second in 1927-1930. year with a characteristic tendency towards a linear closed form in a monumental perception. From 1931, the transition to an open form of tonal painting with features of greatness. The years of exile from 1945 are marked by at least a partial return to an emphasis on linearity.
In this richly illustrated monograph of the Latvian Art Classics series, where the text can be read in Latvian and English, art scholar Aivars Leitis has given a concise but comprehensive insight into the oeuvre of the undeservedly little-mentioned artist.