66 Comments

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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Thank you, Stewart. And for reading and commenting. I’m looking forward to exploring aspects of her life further in future biographies. In particular, her relationship with her brother and Auguste Rodin. Have a wonderful weekend!

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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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Thank you, Kate. Yes, it would be interesting to look in further detail at the relationship with the Quinn’s and their positive impact on her creative output.

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Thank you for an enlightening biography on an artist I knew nothing about!

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Thank you, Kate. I’m pleased you enjoyed it :)

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Since becoming a paid subscriber, I believe this is the first bio I’ve received, and I have enjoyed it immensely. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, and first heard of Gwen John when I saw some of her work at Tate Britain in 2004. Beautiful work. Fascinating person. Thank you.

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Hi Diane, thank you for reading, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. I’m sorry, you’ve not received the posts. Please let me know if you don’t receive the next one, and I’ll look into it. And thank you for your support. ps. Nova Scotia looks so beautiful 🧡

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So interesting! I fell in love with Gwen John's work on a recent trip to England. I feel like once you get to know her, you can spot her paintings from a mile away. How sad to learn she died such a sad death.

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Yes, she has a very distinctive and recognisable style. A sad ending to such an interesting life.

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Another evocative biography. For me, a new genre of fascinating reads. Gwen John's work, whilst muted and with a certain melancholy, makes no compromise on detail and realism... dreamlike windows through time.

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Absolutely! Thank you for reading and commenting, Paul.

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A lovely read! I’ve always liked the works of both her and her brother. Such talent, and an interesting ‘bohemian’ lifestyle.

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Thank you, Dorinda. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m planning a future piece exploring the relationship of her and Augustus.

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Always enjoyed John's work (especially the self-portrait with her cat) and this is such a good introduction

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Thank you so much. And for reading :)

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What a lovely and fascinating read. She lead a very bohemian life considering most people of that time probably never left the area they were born let alone travel and live in another country

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Absolutely. Artist Frances Mary Hodgkins led a similarly independent life. Thank you for reading :)

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Lovely writing, thank you. I had been aware of Gwen John for some years, but really only discovered her ( and Celia Paul herself) through Celia Paul's wonderful Letters to Gwen John. Beautiful refined paintings that become even more poignant when we learn of John's turbulent passion.

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Thank you for reading and commenting, Francesca. I have that wonderful book of letters. I look forward to writing about John’s art in more detail at some point.

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Absolutely loved learning about this artist - thank you! Sleeping in fields for her work, at this time period, I have so many more questions!

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Thank you, Lauren. Yes, she certainly led an interesting life and I look forward to exploring certain areas of it further in future biographies. Thank you for reading and commenting! :)

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This was a lovely, Victoria, thank you. I'd never heard of Gwen John before reading - what a fascinating woman. Her time in Paris in the late 1890s must have been incredible.

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Thanks, Charlene. Yes, I’d like to explore that period in her life further.

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Such evocative paintings, Victoria. Lovely essay, as always, introducing me to a painter I didn't know a thing about. Makes one wonder about hidden wonders ...

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Thank you, Mary. She was a fascinating artist and there is so much about her life I would like to explore further.

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Really appreciated this, having read a bit about the Bloomsbury Group, but not much mention was made of Gwen John. Love the portrait with the black cat, as I am a “cat lady” as well. I’ll have to see if I can obtain a print of this one!

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Good morning from one ‘cat lady’ to another :) Thank you for reading. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it.

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Some of these paintings remind me of Hammershoi's calm interiors with women sewing and reading letters. Thanks for another visual feast!

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Thank you for reading, David :)

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A very interesting bio of the artist Gwen John. The details, of friends, lover, exploits, artistic development and her sad death. I really enjoy reading all of the pieces you write.

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Thank you so much, Dorinda. I really appreciate your ongoing support. Likes and comments also mean so much! :)

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