About the artist
Gwen John (1876–1939), a British painter, was starkly different from her brother, Augustus John, both in her artistic style and persona. A reserved person, Gwen preferred introspective themes. She studied at the Slade School from 1895 to 1898 and later, in Paris, took lessons from Whistler, adopting his subtle, greyish tonality. After a short return to London in 1899, she permanently moved to France in 1904, modelling for artists including her eventual lover, Rodin. In 1913, Gwen converted to Catholicism, stating her faith and art were her life. Her work, often featuring solitary figures in interiors, was marked by sensitivity and discreet dignity. Despite her reclusive lifestyle, Gwen's talent outshone her brother's, and her recognition grew posthumously, especially from the 1960s onwards.
