Art Collections Online

A Corner of the Artist's Room in Paris

JOHN, Gwen (1876 - 1939)

Date: 1907-9

Media: oil on canvas

Size: 31.2 x 24.8 cm

Acquired: 1995; Purchase; with assistance of Derek Williams Trust / Estate of Mrs J. Green

Accession Number: NMW A 3397

Gwen John attended the Slade School of Fine Art in London between 1895 and 1898, and studied briefly in Paris. In 1903, she accompanied Dorelia McNeill, soon to be her brother Augustus's lover and muse, on a walking tour through France. By the beginning of 1904, she had settled in Paris, where she earned a living by modelling. She lived on the top floor of 87 rue du Cherche-Midi between 1907 and 1909. This sparsely furnished room appears repeatedly in work of this period. The empty chair, discarded clothes and open book suggest the artist's invisible presence, and the painting conveys much about her life, a sense of controlled passion, of order, quiet and absolute calm.

Comments - (9)

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Liz

22 June 2020, 17:01

In answer to Julia Yemin's question, that version is in Sheffield Museum.

Sara Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff

21 March 2018, 11:36

Hi there Julia

Thanks for your enquiry. The painting you describe is not part of our collection I'm afraid. Gwen John is known for painting multiple versions of the same scenes, so you might have seen one of these. I will contact one of our curators to ask if they could direct your enquiries any further.

All the best

Sara
Digital Team

Julia Yemin

19 March 2018, 14:40

Hello, I have a photograph of a very similar painting by Gwen John but instead of the book on the table there is a small bunch of primroses (or other yellow flowers) and the window is not open, and there are light white curtains, not a view outside as the one in Cardiff. Please let me know where the one I describe is and whether it can be seen. Thank you so much in advance.
Julia Yemin

Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff

2 October 2017, 13:24

Hi there Susanna

Thanks for your comment. I will ask our Curators if it is currently on display and get back to you.

Many thanks

Sara
Digital Team

susanne grandl

1 October 2017, 12:48

hello,
i would like to see the painting "corner of a room in paris" by gwen john in original.
where do we have to go to? which of the welsh museums?
thank you!

ella conaty

4 February 2013, 18:23

this is a lovley painting but it is too good for gwen john i thought agustus john painted it but got it mixed up my bad

Barbara Jack

13 October 2009, 09:28

I'm keen to but a print of "A Corner of The Artist's Room In Paris"

Can you help me in this search?

Barbara Jack

Amgueddfa Cymru Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff

6 March 2009, 14:13

Dear Pat - Please see our Print on Demand pages for information on obtaining prints from our art collections.
Thank you for your interest in Amgueddfa Cymru

Pat Marsden

6 March 2009, 14:11

Lovely painting - I was wondering if it would be possible to acquire a print>

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