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Welsh Celebrities & Personalities

John, Augustus Edwin (1878-1961)

Portrait painter, born in Tenby, Wales. Influenced by the French Post-Impressionist painters, John developed a vigorous and original style, marked by fluent brush technique and striking character portrayal. His use of large areas of brilliant colour, broad rhythms, and a free technique established him as one of the leading portraitists of his time. His sitters included royalty, literary giants, other artists, musicians, and theatrical luminaries. Among these are Dylan Thomas (c. 1938, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff) and Tallulah Bankhead (c. 1933, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.). John also painted and etched many scenes of gypsies in North Wales.