The series "Classics of Latvian Art" presents a book about Līvija Endzelīna (1927–2008).
Līvija Endzelīna is one of the best-known but also one of the most enigmatic figures in 20th century Latvian art. Already in the early 60s, when her work was just beginning to appear in exhibitions, it drew undivided acclaim from the public as well as recognition within the professional community. However, behind this work, so rapidly gaining in renown, was a solitary artist who avoided commenting publically on the development of her art, the influences behind it or the creative principles she was following. The attraction of her still lifes was due to their national and metaphysically surreal imagery, presented in a seemingly comprehensible visual language that imitated reality. Līvija Endzelīna brought to Latvian art a new, original and very subjective version of painting, differing from the academic method of Socialist Realism cultivated in the preceding decades and from the avantgarde hyperrealism that was emerging in her time.
Daina Auziņa
The series "Classics of Latvian Art" includes books of medium size, offering an easily perceptible information about Latvian classical artists and their works. The series 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.