Augustus John

Sitterback to top

• Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961), Painter. Sitter associated with 87 portraits, Artist associated with 32 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir William Newenham Montague Orpen (1878-1931), Painter. Artist associated with 29 portraits, Sitter in 27 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Orpen and John met while studying at the Slade and became constant companions. Fifty years later John criticised this portrait for not conveying 'the shy, dreamy and reticent character of its model'. It is in fact one of Orpen's finest early portraits of a young artist whose behaviour was often far from 'reticent'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Bakewell, Michael, Character Sketches: Fitzrovia: London's Bohemia, 1999, p. 18
• Funnell, Peter (introduction); Marsh, Jan, A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Portraits, 2011, p. 18
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 338

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Chairs
• Hats and head-attire
• Shadows