Above is a photo of Ottoline Morrell with Augustus John, in Aix-en-Provence.
Aix just happens to be my favourite town in the whole of France. A stunningly beautiful place that, unfortunately on my last visit, had succumbed to the aerosols of tagging graffiti-sprayers.
On her 'blue plaque' in Gower Street, Lady Ottoline is described as 'Literary Hostess and Patron of the Arts'; a description that belies her influence.
John probably needs no introduction, he was simply one of the best painters of his age.
I would liked to have emerged from behind that door, to discover them there. I would have introduced myself, taken a 'selfie', and continued on my way. Oh, how I would have treasured that photo.
I enjoyed Aix-en-Provence but had not realised that you had spent much there.
ReplyDelete"much time there"
DeleteWhen I was 'stone carving' we used to buy blocks from a quarry very near Aix. I suppose I visited the town about 5 or 6 times. On my last visit I was shocked by the senseless graffiti.
Deletea beautiful photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of Gwen John' work?
Beautiful; I've always thought of them as very 'serene'.
DeleteIt is a fine picture. Augustus John could almost be a present day image, it is Ottoline's attire that dates it. With regard to Gwen John, she is often considered the better painter of the two but being a woman was always rather in his shadow.
ReplyDeleteA classic example of the difference between masculine and feminine painting. I would say they were equally talented, but his work was 'hard' and 'angular', whereas hers was 'soft' and more 'poetic'.
DeleteAugustus and Dylan had a drunken fight in car park over another young lady, "the Irish free-style dancer in the mode of Isadora Duncan" Caitlin Macnamara "in which the old painter knocked the young poet down and drove off with Caitlin into the night."
ReplyDeleteHe painted Caitlin but Dylan won her with poetry and letters.
Andrew Sinclair's 1975 biography of Dylan has an Augustus John portrait of the poet on the jacket.
Dylan Thomas. Not Bob Dylan :-)
DeleteI don't know a lot about John's private life, other than he was a great 'womaniser'. They were both big drinkers, of course!
DeleteOttoline had an affair with Bertrand Russell for many many years.
DeleteShe also had an affair with Dr Axel Munthe; the author of 'The story of San Michele'. Have you read his book?
DeleteNo, but I think I should. Thanks.
DeleteNice urns.
ReplyDeleteAix is filled with beautiful objects and architecture. Worth a visit, if you haven't already.
DeleteI love her whole outfit.
ReplyDeleteVery elegant; but she could afford to be so.
DeleteOttoline is a beautiful name. It's a pity it's not one of the olde girls names being resurrected today.
ReplyDeleteIf 'given names' really do influence character (which I'm sure they do), then it would certainly be one to revive.
Delete