#gwen john

[catsofyore]

Cat. Ca. 1904 - 1908. Source.

[random-brushstrokes]

Gwen John - Vase of Flowers (ca. 1927)

[makingqueerhistory]

Selected Works from Gwen John

Born in 1876, Gwen John became known for her unique artistic style and refusal to change to the art trends of the time. Lesser known is her fluidity around sexuality; indeed, quite a bit of her personal life remains private. John's art is characterized by a combination of introspection and meticulous technique. She is known for her works of women—almost always in a three-quarter length seated pose—children, and pets. What sets her work apart is the application of thicker paint in small touches, creating texture and depth in her compositions. In addition to oil paintings, Gwen John was a talented watercolorist.

Beyond her artistic achievements, Gwen John's personal life added another layer to her legacy. She had relationships, brief and not, with men and women. Her relationships with both men and women, including her well-documented connection with sculptor Auguste Rodin, contribute to the conversation around sexuality and art in the 20th century art scene, particularly that of Paris.

Although Gwen John's work was sometimes overshadowed by her brother, her contributions to the art world should not be overlooked. Her paintings are held in prestigious collections, and her style still sets her work apart today.

You can find these works and more in our gallery!

[canvasmirror]

Gwen John (British/Welsh, 1876-1939) • Self-Portrait • 1903

" In talking, shyness and timidity distort the very meaning of my words. I don't pretend to know anybody well. People are like shadows to me and I am like a shadow. " – Gwen John

[the-cricket-chirps]

Gwen John

Cat

c. 1904-1908

[miamaimania]

"Girl with Cat" (~1925) by Gwen John

[thunderstruck9]

Gwen John (British, 1876-1939), Portrait of a Lady Reclining, c.1910. Pencil and watercolour on paper, 7 3/4 x 10 1/4 in.

[portrait-paintings]

Self-Portrait

Artist: Gwen John (Welsh, 1876–1939)

Date: 1902

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: TATE Britain

Description

Gwen John trained at the Slade School of Art in London from 1895–1898. As a woman in an industry still largely dominated by men, John had to struggle for recognition. It has been suggested that the intense self-scrutiny of this image and her isolation, reflects her experiences as an artist. In recent years, John’s reputation has grown, and she is widely recognised for her intimate portraits and her subtle use of colour.

[roborevolutionaryrenditionsblog]

[psikonauti]

Gwen John (Welsh,1876-1939)

Portrait of a Reclining Woman

Pencil and grey wash on paper

[pintoras]

Gwen John (Welsh, 1876-1939): Girl Reading at a Window (1911) (via Wikimedia Commons)

[catsofyore]

The Cat. Ca. 1904 - 1908. Source.

[aiinspiredmasterpiecesblog]

[ourstaturestouchtheskies]

Self Portrait at an Easel - Sofonisba Anguissola // Self Portrait - Mary Cassatt // Self Portrait with Two Pupils - Adélaïde Labille-Guiard // Self Portrait - Gwen John // Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria - Artemisia Gentileschi // Self Portrait in a Straw Hat - Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun // The Man - Taylor Swift

[granstromjulius]

Gwen John

[the-cricket-chirps]

Gwen John

Self-Portrait

1902