Product Description

The first comparative survey of the work of these major twentieth-century artists, juxtaposing Augustus' lively Bohemianism with his sister Gwen's private introspection.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #488928 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-02
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

At least it's something!
Augustus John was one of the most marvellous artists of the 20th Century. This is the only current book which illustrates his paintings, (together with work by his sister Gwen). And now, even this one has apparently become unavailable.

It is a very sad state of affairs that there are no books at all devoted to the paintings of Augustus John, (though a book of some of his remarkable drawings is available). Some of Augustus John's portraits, for example, are amongst the most scintillating pictures of the last century. John's virtuoso skill as a draughtsman, and his wonderful touch with the brush, sometimes takes the breath away, as does his glorious use of colour. His portraits are full of light, presence, and an extraordinary sense of spontaneous beauty, even when the sitter is a Society figure such as Diana Mitford, or Tallulah Bankhead in a commissioned work. I recently saw a portrait of his young son which demonstrated all these qualities: it was unforgettable.

It is ironical that we can read all about this artist's colourful life, in the magnificent biography of Augustus John by Michael Holroyd, but, apart from the recent volume here, we can't buy a book illustrating any of his pictures! This situation needs correcting. A well-catalogued exhibition of this artist's work is very much over-due. It will be a revelation.