Gwen John

Gwen John (1876-1939) was a Welsh artist.

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She was born in Haverfordwest, Wales. Like her brother, Augustus John, Gwen studied at the Slade School of Art (1895-98). She worked briefly in Paris with James Whistler and began to exhibit her work in London in 1899. In 1906, she began modelling for the sculptor Auguste Rodin in Paris, where she then lived, and became his mistress.

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Most of her artwork in later life was small-scale portraits and still-lifes. Although overshadowed by her popular brother, many would now say (as Augustus did) that Gwen was the more talented of the two, although she did not receive the same recognition.

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Her portraits were generally three-quarter length females, usually seated, with their hands in their laps. She also painted many pictures of cats. She painted slowly and would paint the same picture repeatedly (much like Monet and his series on haystacks). She experimented with painting with reduced tone, and very subtle colours, in contrast to her brother's more garish palette. She sketched woman and children on trains and in church as well as using a studio model.

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An exhibition of Gwen John's and Augustus John's work was on show at Tate Britain in London. Her pictures are held all over the world, but there are good collections in the National Gallery of Wales and the Tate.

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1876: 1876 is a leap year starting on Saturday....

1939: 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

Haverfordwest: Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd) is a small market town in south-west Wales. It forms an important road network hub between other towns in Pembrokeshire such as Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard....

Gwen John related Images and Photos (experimental)

Dr. John: Mercernary	Dr. John: Mercernary	John 3:16	John Q (BD)
John Q (DVD) (WS)	John F. Kennedy (Paperback)	John Woo	John Cena
John Thaw	John Hurt	John Cena	John Hurt