Gwen John and Augustus John

Augustus John (1878-1961) was a hugely charismatic and colourful figure, his technical skill as a draughtsman matched by his bohemian manners and dashing appearance. In the pre-war years he epitomised the rebellious artist, travelling the country in a caravan and learning Romany as a result of the time he spent with gypsies. An official War artist during the first war, he subsequently took up a career as a portraitist, painting the leading literary figures of his day as well as inheriting Sargent's mantle as a painter of Society. Gwen John (1876-1939) studied at the Slade along with Augustus, leaving in the same year (1898). She then studied in Paris under Whistler, adopting his remarkable control of colour. In 1904 she settled permanently in France, where she earned a living as a model for artists including Rodin, who became her lover. The opposite of her brother both in personality and artistically, she favoured introspective subjects, and led a reclusive life. At the time of her early death she was little known but Augustus was convinced she was a greater artist than he was himself, prophesying in 1946 that 'in 50 years I will be known as the brother of Gwen John'. The differenc