Gwen John and Augustus John: On the Occasion of the Exhibition "Gwen John and Augustus John", Tate Britain, London 29...

Gwen John and Augustus John: On the Occasion of the Exhibition "Gwen John and Augustus John", Tate Britain, London 29...
ISBN-10
1854375431
ISBN-13
9781854375438
Category
Art / Individual Artists / General
Pages
223
Language
English
Published
2004-12-07
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Authors
Chris Stephens, David Fraser Jenkins

Description

Augustus John (1878-1961) was a hugely charismatic and colourful figure, his technical skill as a draughtsman matched by his bohemian manners and dashing appearance. In the pre-war years he epitomised the rebellious artist, travelling the country in a caravan and learning Romany as a result of the time he spent with gypsies. An official War artist during the first war, he subsequently took up a career as a portraitist, painting the leading literary figures of his day as well as inheriting Sargent's mantle as a painter of Society. Gwen John (1876-1939) studied at the Slade along with Augustus, leaving in the same year (1898). She then studied in Paris under Whistler, adopting his remarkable control of colour. In 1904 she settled permanently in France, where she earned a living as a model for artists including Rodin, who became her lover. The opposite of her brother both in personality and artistically, she favoured introspective subjects, and led a reclusive life.

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