Born in Preston, Augustus Lunn studied at the Kingston School of Art where he won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy Schools. Particularly known for his work as a muralist, Lunn is often considered to be among the leading figures in the revival of tempera painting in Britain. The artist frequently used traditional Renaissance fresco techniques in his murals, combining modern subject matters and approaches with traditional painterly methods. A fine and very rare example of the artist using sgraffito painting – whereby layers of tinted plaster are applied and then scratched to reveal layers of textured colour – can be seen to this day in the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Welling.

Lunn often focused on landscape scenes in his work which, rather than appear representational, attempted to reconstruct scenes using a distinctly modern visual language. At once Surreal and geometric, Lunn frequently explored new approaches in his work through responding to the changeable nature of artistic trends. Lunn enjoyed relationships with the London Group and the New English Art Club throughout his career, and often exhibited at the Cooling Galleries in London. He also served for many years as an artistic educator, teaching at his alma mater the Kingston School of Art. He continued to paint late in to his life, and in 1985 participated in a solo exhibition at the Michael Parkin Fine Art gallery in London just a year before his death.