Gwen John

Date of Birth: June 22, 1876

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: September 18, 1939

Biography

Gwen John was a prominent Welsh artist known for her introspective portraits and quiet domestic interior scenes. Born Gwendolen Mary John in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on June 22, 1876, she grew up in a family that appreciated the arts; her younger brother, Augustus John, also became a renowned painter. Gwen studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she developed her distinctive style characterized by muted tones and a sense of stillness. In 1898, Gwen moved to Paris, where she worked as an artist’s model while continuing to paint. It was during this time that she had a significant relationship with the sculptor Auguste Rodin, which influenced both her personal life and artistic work. Despite the connection with Rodin, Gwen preferred a life of solitude and eventually settled in Meudon, a suburb of Paris, where she spent the remainder of her life. Her works, often focusing on solitary female figures and contemplative interior scenes, reflect her introspective nature. Although not widely recognized during her lifetime, Gwen John’s work gained considerable acclaim posthumously, with exhibitions in major galleries and a growing appreciation of her subtle, yet powerful, artistic vision.

5 Interesting Facts about Gwen John

1. Gwen John studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, one of the first institutions to offer equal training to both men and women.

2. She had a complex relationship with her brother Augustus John, who often overshadowed her in terms of fame during their lifetimes.

3. Gwen was deeply influenced by her Catholic faith, which she converted to in 1913.

4. Her relationship with Auguste Rodin lasted nearly a decade, during which she served as his muse and lover.

5. Gwen John preferred to live a reclusive life and often painted the same subjects multiple times, exploring different moods and lighting conditions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gwen John

1. “I think a picture ought to be done in one sitting or at most two. For that one must paint every day.”

2. “Study is the necessary preliminary to the production of art, but painting is its own end.”

3. “I do not wish for women to have power over men; but over themselves.”

4. “The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.”

5. “I paint to try to express myself, and to get to know myself better.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gwen John’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but her works are now highly valued, with some paintings selling for over $1 million at auction.