Dylan Thomas

Sitterback to top

• Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), Poet. Sitter in 22 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961), Painter. Artist associated with 32 portraits, Sitter associated with 86 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This engaging portrait links one of the most important twentieth-century British portrait painters with one of the most significant and notorious literary figures of the period. This portrait is one of two painted by Augustus John and is the product of a close acquaintance. The artist and sitter met in the mid-1930s at the Fitzroy Tavern in London's Charlotte Street, and furthered their friendship during many evenings there and in the nearby Marquis of Granby. John introduced Thomas to his future wife, Caitlin Macnamara. After their marriage in 1937, the Thomases met John fairly frequently whilst visiting Caitlin's mother who lived near John in Hampshire. It was in these circumstances that Dylan Thomas sat to Augustus John.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Bakewell, Michael, Character Sketches: Fitzrovia: London's Bohemia, 1999, p. 27

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Poets tour