Augustus John
Augustus John (1878 - 1961)
Augustus Edwin John, the brother of the British painter Gwen John, trained at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1894 to 1898, where he won numerous prizes and awards. He became a member of the New English Art Club in 1903, and was Professor of Painting at the University of Liverpool from 1901 to 1904. He travelled throughout Europe (his first visit was to Paris in 1900) and he was a regular visitor to the USA. Before World War I John lived as a traveller with his family, in caravans in England and Wales. During World War I he was attached to the Canadian forces as a war artist. John was made a member of the Royal Academy in 1928; he resigned in 1928; but he was re-appointed in 1940. He was a president of the Society of Mural Painters. He was a member of the Camden Town Group in 1911 and a member of the London Group from 1940 to 1961. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 1942.
John quickly earned a reputation as one of England's foremost painters. His earliest works combine the poetic sentiment of the Pre-Raphaelites with a broadly Impressionist technique. Numerous works illustrate aspects of Roman life, to which John was introduced by his friend John Sampson, University Librarian at Liverpool. His mural paintings showed remarkable talent, but his work in this area was curtailed by his numerous portrait commissions - by turns intimate or grand and sumptuous in character, and often strikingly composed - undertaken to support his large family and notoriously bohemian lifestyle.
Text Source: Benezit Dictionary of Artists
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Augustus John
& the First Crisis of Brilliance 26 Apr - 13 Jul 2024The exhibition Augustus John and the First Crisis of Brilliance will delve into the early works of one of the most important British artists of the 20th century, Augustus John (1878-1961), and examine why he was heralded as the ‘saviour’ of British painting at such a young age.Read more
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London Art Fair
Business Design Centre, N1 0QH 17 - 21 Jan 2024 Art FairFor the London Art Fair, Piano Nobile exhibited a range of works by leading twentieth-century British artists. Highlights included Augustus John, Barbara Hepworth, Frank Auerbach, R.B. Kitaj, Eduardo Paolozzi, Craigie...Read more -
The Treasure House Fair
Royal Hospital Chelsea 22 - 26 Jun 2023 Art FairThe Treasure House Fair is a celebration of outstanding and rare art and antiques. Held at The Royal Hospital Chelsea the fair continues the tradition of its predecessors, Masterpiece...Read more -
Drawn to Paper
2021 2 Jul - 6 Aug 2021Paper is easily and variously marked. Charcoal and chalk scuff, smudge or slice; pen and ink dash, hatch and stipple; areas of colour shimmer in pastel, glow in gouache or...Read more -
Masterpiece
Online Viewing Room 23 - 27 Jun 2021Piano Nobile is pleased to be participating in Masterpiece Online 2021. A selection of outstanding work by twentieth-century British artists will be highlighted, including paintings, sculpture and drawings by Leon...Read more -
British Art Fair 2018
Saatchi Gallery 20 - 23 Sep 2018 Art FairPiano Nobile presented a selection of Post-War and Modern British art, including works by Craigie Aitchison, Kenneth Armitage, David Bomberg, Peter Coker, William Crozier, Leslie Marr, Leon Kossoff, Paul Nash,...Read more -
Masterpiece 2017
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea 27 Jun - 5 Jul 2017 Art FairStand D19 Piano Nobile is pleased to be returning to Masterpiece for 2017. London's leading arts and antiques fair will be at The Royal Hospital Chelsea from 29 June until...Read more -
London Art Fair 2017
Stand 7 17 - 22 Jan 2017 Art FairThe 29th edition of the fair featured over 130 participating galleries; Art Projects showcasing large scale installations, solo shows and curated group displays; Photo50, the guest curated annual showcase of...Read more
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Frances Allitt reviews Augustus John at Piano Nobile
Antiques Trade Gazette April 22, 2024Frances Allitt explores Augustus John's 'genius' and legacy with reference to the Piano Nobile exhibition.Read more -
Richard Brooks interviews Augustus John's granddaughter
The Guardian April 21, 2024Richard Brooks interveiwed Rebecca John, the granddaughter of Augustus John, and an authority on his work. They discussed Augustus John's famous early work, featuring in...Read more -
Huon Mallalieu reviews Augustus John at Piano Nobile
The Oldie March 30, 2024Huon Mallalieu discusses Augustus John's early brilliance, his legcay, and explores how the exhibition at Piano Nobile serves to rebalance John's reputation after his slide...Read more -
InSight No. 131
Augustus John | Portrait of Dorelia August 25, 2023The archetypal muse, Dorelia McNeill inspired some of Augustus John’s most sensitive portraits in painting and drawing. One writer described how John intended to make...Read more