Portrait of the Artist

Art Historical Context

"Portrait of the Artist" offers an intimate glimpse into the work of Augustus John, a leading British artist of the early twentieth century. Published in 1919, this self-portrait captures the creator through his own eyes at a pivotal moment following the First World War. The image invites viewers to consider how an artist chooses to present himself to the public. Created using etching and drypoint, the print demonstrates the expressive possibilities of these intaglio techniques. Drypoint, in particular, produces soft, velvety lines that add texture and depth, while etching allows for precise detail. Measuring just 26.7 × 21.4 cm, the modest scale encourages close, personal viewing. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection, the work highlights the importance of printmaking in making art more widely accessible during this period. Its presence in a major public collection underscores John’s lasting influence on twentieth-century British portraiture.

About the Artist

Augustus John · 1878–1961

Augustus Edwin John OM RA (1878–1961) was a Welsh painter, draughtsman, and etcher whose prodigious early gifts made him the most celebrated portraitist in Britain during the first decades of the twentieth century. Born on 4 January 1878 in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, he lost his mother Augusta Smith in childhood, a loss that left a permanent mark on his restless temperament. He and his elder sister Gwe...