January the 4th - Augustus John - Artist Birthday
- LaBelleEpoq
- Jan 4, 2023
- 2 min read
Augustus John
British, Welsh
Born: January 4, 1878
Tenby, United Kingdom
Died: October 31, 1961
Fordingbridge, United Kingdom
Art Movement: Post-Impressionism
Augustus John was a Welsh painter and draftsman active in the early 20th century. He was born in Gwynedd, Wales in 1878, and showed a talent for art at a young age. At 16, he began studying at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. While studying he met and became friends with fellow students Wyndham Lewis and David Bomberg, with whom he would later collaborate on various artistic projects.
After graduating Slade John travelled to Paris, where he was exposed to the works of Post-Impressionist artists, particularly those of Paul Cézanne. This experience had a significant influence on John's own artistic style and approach.
Upon his return to London, John began to establish himself as a prominent figure on the British art scene. His early work was distinguished by his bold, expressive portraiture, which often featured strong, chiselled features and bright, vibrant colours.
He was known for his ability to capture the personality and character of his sitters in his paintings and drawings, and he worked with a wide range of people, including politicians, writers, artists, and socialites. John was particularly skilled at capturing the mood and atmosphere of his sitters, and his portraits often conveyed a sense of intimacy and psychological depth.
In addition to his portraits, John also painted landscapes and was known for his colourful, imaginative paintings of the Welsh countryside. He was a member of the New English Art Club and the Post-Impressionist movement and was part of the Bloomsbury Group, a group of intellectuals, writers, and artists active in London in the early 20th century.
Throughout his career, Augustus John frequently exhibited his work in Britain and abroad. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and received numerous awards and accolades for his work. His paintings and drawings are held in numerous public and private collections around the world. John was a talented etcher and lithographer too and produced a number of prints throughout his career.
Augustus John was known for his bohemian lifestyle and was often seen in the company of artists, writers, and intellectuals. Despite his reputation as a womanizer, John was highly respected and admired by his peers for his artistic talent and his contributions to the art world. He died in London in 1961 at the age of 82, leaving behind a significant body of work that is still admired and collected today.
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