Gwen John, British 1876-1939 - Two Women and a Nun in a Church, late 1910s-early 1920s; gouache and watercolour on paper, 22.4 x 17.4 cm Provenance: with Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, no.DLA-1279; private collection; thence by descent...
Gwen John, British 1876-1939 - Two Women and a Nun in a Church, late 1910s-early 1920s; gouache and watercolour on paper, 22.4 x 17.4 cm Provenance: The Geoffrey and Fay Elliot collection. With Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, no.DLA-1279; private collection; thence by descent Exhibited: Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, American and British Works on Paper, 11th October - 12th November, 1988, no.17 Note: One of the most unique and elusive voices in Modern British painting, Gwen John is renowned for her intimate interiors of women and children. The sister of Augustus John, Gwen moved to Paris in 1903, giving a distinctive European touch and palette to her work, reminiscent of Eduard Vuillard, which creates a quiet yet intense atmosphere. The artist made a number of works depicting church congregations, usually depicted the figures from behind. These works have a fluency to their rapidly applied brushes of gouache. The artist converted to Roman Catholicism in 1913, so the church became central to her solitary life. August John famously stated, 'in 50 years' time, I will be known as the brother of Gwen John.' Her work is in all major UK public collections, including Tate, the Yale Centre for British Art and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Other works from this series of figures in church are found in the National Museum of Wales.
Floated in mount and held in a glazed, partially gilded, moulded wooden frame, with scuff marks. Appears to be affixed in each corner but unexamined out of frame. Edges visible. Left, bottom and right in very good condition, with only very minor wear. Top edge is worn; paper appears to have been removed from a sketchbook or similar. Slight undulation to top right corner. Slight wear to the painted surface along lower left edge. Painted surface otherwise in very good condition and colours fresh throughout. Overall, very good condition.
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Gwen John, British 1876-1939 - Two Women and a Nun in a Church, late 1910s-early 1920s; gouache and watercolour on paper, 22.4 x 17.4 cm Provenance: The Geoffrey and Fay Elliot collection. With Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, no.DLA-1279; private collection; thence by descent Exhibited: Davis & Langdale Company, Inc., New York, American and British Works on Paper, 11th October - 12th November, 1988, no.17 Note: One of the most unique and elusive voices in Modern British painting, Gwen John is renowned for her intimate interiors of women and children. The sister of Augustus John, Gwen moved to Paris in 1903, giving a distinctive European touch and palette to her work, reminiscent of Eduard Vuillard, which creates a quiet yet intense atmosphere. The artist made a number of works depicting church congregations, usually depicted the figures from behind. These works have a fluency to their rapidly applied brushes of gouache. The artist converted to Roman Catholicism in 1913, so the church became central to her solitary life. August John famously stated, 'in 50 years' time, I will be known as the brother of Gwen John.' Her work is in all major UK public collections, including Tate, the Yale Centre for British Art and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Other works from this series of figures in church are found in the National Museum of Wales.
Floated in mount and held in a glazed, partially gilded, moulded wooden frame, with scuff marks. Appears to be affixed in each corner but unexamined out of frame. Edges visible. Left, bottom and right in very good condition, with only very minor wear. Top edge is worn; paper appears to have been removed from a sketchbook or similar. Slight undulation to top right corner. Slight wear to the painted surface along lower left edge. Painted surface otherwise in very good condition and colours fresh throughout. Overall, very good condition.
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