Art Collections Online

The Japanese Doll

JOHN, Gwen (1876 - 1939)

© Estate of Gwen John 2002. All rights reserved DACS

Media: oil on canvas

Size: 33.0 x 40.6 cm

Acquired: 2003; Purchase; with assistance of National Art Collections Fund / Derek Williams Trust

Accession Number: NMW A 25990

This still life is set in the artist's studio in Meudon in France. Many of the objects in the picture are familiar studio props, such as the round table, the rectangular box and the checked cloth, and they appear frequently in Gwen John's work. However the Japanese doll only appears in this painting and in a second version of it, and introduces a splash of colour into what is otherwise a study of tone. It was acquired by Julia Quinn Anderson, the sister of Gwen John's patron John Quinn, around 1930. She was presumably referring to this work when she commented in a letter to Gwen in July 1928, 'I am sorry that the painting of the doll was not finished'.

Comments (2)

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Sara Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
14 September 2015, 09:56

Hi Adrian

I agree, it's a great painting - I would suggest having a word on email with our image licensing officer, as she will have the correct version on file for reference.

Many thanks,

Sara
Digital Team

Adrian McCarron
12 September 2015, 12:40
Hi. Thankyou for a wonderful visit to your museum in August. Really great building and the art and sculptures were really inspiring! I loved the painting 'The Japanese doll' By Gwen John and was looking at ordering a print from your order service. But on your web site (pic above) it seems to be a mirror image of the original painting in the gallery! In all versions the doll is facing left to right. Not right to left. I will put off ordering a print until you can confirm whether im going mad or the picture on the web is the wrong way round!!!!

Thanks

Adrian
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