Dorelia McNeill; Augustus John

Sittersback to top

• Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961), Painter. Sitter associated with 86 portraits, Artist associated with 32 portraits.
• Dorothy ('Dorelia') McNeill (1881-1969), Partner and muse of Augustus John. Sitter associated with 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist associated with 1051 portraits, Sitter associated with 314 portraits.

This portraitback to top

These informal photographs were taken during the summer of 1960, when Cecil Beaton paid several visits to Fryern Court to have his portrait painted by John. The sittings did not go well. John was eighty-two years old and could no longer hold his brush steadily. Beaton felt that John repeatedly ruined his work with haphazard over-painting. His pallet changed from vivid green to pillar-box red. At one point Beaton posed whilst ill and nearly fainted. It was one of John's final attempts at a portrait and remained unfinished at his death.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Augustus John: A Life in Portraits (26 July 2011 - 18 March 2012)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Double portraits
• Eating and drinking