[1] After dropping out of an Orthodox Christian seminary in Vitebsk, Eglītis studied drawing in Penza and enrolled at Maria Tenisheva's art studio in Saint Petersburg.
In various articles, he laid out his poetics which were opposed to moral schemes, abstraction and realism, and instead promoted artistic individualism.
[2] He was well received by a number of young writers, who along with Eglītis wanted to refocus the language of poetry, which was dominated by well-defined lyrical forms and clear narratives, to symbols and signs that were not always easy to decipher.
In addition to the enthusiasm from his followers, Eglītis' often aggressive introduction of modernist principles was also met with vocal opposition.
[2] After the outbursts of his early works, the prolific Eglītis gradually turned to a more neoclassical and realistic expression; toward the end of his career he even launched the slogan "Away with modernism!"
After Latvia regained its independence, Eglītis began to be rediscovered and gained status as the country's leading decadent writer.