The Mysteries of Gwen John

During her lifetime, the Welsh artist Gwen John was overshadowed by the men around her - most notably her lover, the sculptor Auguste Rodin, and her brother, the painter Augustus John. Today, however, her story is being re-examined and redefined. Her reputation is soaring, her work is in demand across the world and her vision feels strikingly modern. Yet, when she was alive, she chose to live in the shadows – keeping the world at arm’s length.

There are two dominant images of Gwen John. The first stresses her daring: an artistic pioneer who took lovers of both sexes and moved to Paris when it was the centre of the art world. The second is a hermit who withdrew into a religious life, living alone with her cats. Her art is utterly confident, and yet she found exhibiting unbearable. She moved among the greatest artists of her time and yet deliberately avoided people.

In this programme, marking 150 years since her birth, poet Gwyneth Lewis explores the mysteries surrounding Gwen John’s life and work. She retraces Gwen’s path from Pembrokeshire in west Wales to London’s Slade School of Fine Art, and on to the bohemian circles of Paris.

Through readings from Gwen John’s letters and notebooks, and through her quietly powerful artworks, Gwyneth uncovers the story of a fiercely original artist – unconventional, overlooked, but now being understood on her own terms. Gwyneth also considers how a major new exhibition of Gwen John’s art at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales in Cardiff informs our understanding of her.

Today, Gwen John is recognised as a pioneering artist, whose unwavering independence and introspective vision place her firmly at the heart of contemporary culture. Gwyneth goes in search of the real Gwen John - it’s a story that’s complex, compelling, and full of surprises.

Presenter: Gwyneth Lewis
Producer: Huw Meredydd
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam
Gwen John is played by Laura Dalgleish
An Astud production for BBC Radio 3

Music in the programme includes:

4 Welsh Impressions: No. 4, Beti Bwt (Morfydd Owen)
Chanson de Matin (Edward Elgar)
Salut d’Amour (Edward Elgar)
Je Te Veux (Erik Satie)
Gymnopédie No. 2 (Erik Satie)
Rêverie (Claude Debussy)
Ave verum corpus, K. 618 (Mozart)