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Stewart Green's avatar

Thank you very much for this very interesting biography of Gwen John and for the accompanying paintings that you have selected. Until today I knew little about her except that she was the brother of Augustus John, that he thought she was a better artist and that she was Rodin’s lover. Now I have a picture of key moments frim her whole life. I like some aspects of her paintings, like the depiction of the texture of the pages of the books in one of the ones that you have selected. It would be interesting to know more about her day to day life, and to know what she thought of her friends and lovers and about life in general and what they the thought of her. I guess I should read one or more of the books from your book list. I was saddened to hear of her tragic death.

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Those muted tones you describe are just heavenly - a lot in common with Whistler, but distinct as well. It sound like Gwen felt the world very deeply - from painting to lovers. What a passionate soul. Interesting also the elements of money you weave in here and the narrative that money can indeed buy freedom for an artist to truly create without inhibitions.

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