Augustus Edwin John

Augustus John was one of the leading figures of early 20th century British art. His genius was apparent from the outset during his time at the Slade School of Art and he went on to become probably the most famous artist ever to have emerged from Wales. Augustus John achieved fame and notoriety in almost equal measure through the bold and independent modernistic style of his art and through his reputation for reckless drinking and womanising.

Augustus John took to etching with the gifted talent of a natural printmaker – his etching technique emerging fully fledged within the space of the single year 1901, whilst teaching art in Liverpool. John’s early plates were etched without commercial intent and were not published in a formal edition until issued by Knewstub through his Chenil Gallery in 1906.