Art Appreciation
Augustus Edwin John, born on January 4, 1878, in Tenby, Wales, emerged as one of the most celebrated painters in Wales, leaving a mark on the art world during the early to mid-20th century. His artistic journey began with a precocious talent for art displayed alongside his older sister Gwen. At seventeen, he briefly attended the Tenby School of Art before heading to London for further studies at the Slade School of Fine Art at the University College London.
In 1901, John married Ida Nettleship, whom he had met at the Slade, which led him to a teaching post at the University of Liverpool. Relocating to London in 1903, he co-founded Chelsea Art School with Major Sir William Newenham Montague Orpen, solidifying his influence in the art community.
Complications arose in John's personal life when Dorelia McNeill became both his model and mistress, leading to a complex ménage à trois with Ida from 1903 to 1907. Tragedy struck when Ida succumbed to puerperal fever after childbirth while the family was living in Paris with Dorelia.
Around 1910, John, accompanied by his friend James Dickson Innes, painted in the Arenig valley and established an artists' colony at Alderney Manor, where he resided with his family and Dorelia. His fascination with the Romani people prompted him to travel with his family in a caravan, eventually becoming the President of the Gypsy Lore Society from 1937 to 1961.
In 1917, he became the war artist for the Canadian military, creating memorable portraits of Canadian infantrymen. By the 1920s, John rose to prominence as Britain's leading portrait painter, gaining recognition for his portraits of notable figures such as George Bernard Shaw and William Butler Yeats.
Augustus Edwin John's artistic versatility shone through various genres, including portraiture, landscapes, and etchings. His ability to capture the emotional depth of his subjects, coupled with a fascination for the human form and a nuanced exploration of psychological subtleties, contributed to the enduring appeal of his art.
Elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1921 and a full R.A. in 1928, John received the Order of Merit from George VI in 1942. Serving as a trustee of the Tate Gallery from 1933 to 1941 and as President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters from 1948 to 1953, he was honored with the Freedom of the Town of Tenby in 1959.
Augustus Edwin John's dynamic and expressive style, influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, positioned him as a pioneering force in the British art scene, leaving an enduring legacy.
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/fraternity-6589/tagger/add
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/02/augustus-john-william-orpen-peace-conference-1920
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