Unveiling a 20th Century Portrait | Augustus John, 'Iris Beerbohm Tree', c. 1920
We are delighted to display this stunning portrait of poet Iris Beerbohm Tree to the public for the first time in one hundred years. Painted by Augustus John, c. 1920, few sitters could claim to rival him in their disregard for social convention, but Iris Beerbohm Tree was one such rival.
Tree first met Augustus John in the year after she arrival at the Slade. The pair met at a Thursday soirée thrown by the society hostess Lady Ottoline Morrell (1873-1938). Tree arrived wearing a dress adorned with blue and green ribbons that she had designed herself, mismatching stockings - one blue and the other green - and a wide brimmed hat without a crown. Of John, she would later recall in an unpublished essay In Praise of Augustus John how; “…at first meeting I experienced an immediate intimacy as if I was part of his landscape which has remained in my vision ever since. It has rounded hills, pale or slate-blue skies, grey rocks. Its people were angels dressed as peasants, women who baked crusty bread […] There was lavender in the coarse linen and brown or blue jugs of thick cream. Jars of wine were served under their vines to scowling men who drank into the night of love-making, singing, dancing. But there’s another point more difficult to define except romantically for it was essentially romantic.”
Пікірлер: 25
Fabulous portrait of a unique woman, thank you Philip for sharing your expertise and knowledge with us.
Nice to hear about a piece painted by my great uncle, I will view it one day!
Nice insight regarding the painter and the subject. Thanks.
Superlative portrait! She challenges us with her gaze, her posture. And the rich use of color and textures! John was brilliant.
Loving your channel Phillip.
Thank you,Wonderful🙏🏽🍀!!
Thank you for sharing. Your channel is brilliant.
A wonderful sassy work. For a moment I had visions of Grayson Perry as Clair. I am sure it’s just because of the hair.
Thank you!
Another Beauty :) Thank you for this delightful minutes today!
Brilliant
Thank you!!
What a magnificent picture! Thank you for the insight into the subject and the artist.
Whoa that is an amazing painting to own ❤️ I have always been in love with her beautiful crocheted vest
Just stellar.
Beautiful
She’d have looked just fine on Carnaby St in the 60s.
Do you have anything by his friend William Orpen?
Masterful portrait. How much?
An ancestor no doubt of Marietta Tree?
What a life John lived
Why do you not tell us that she was an actress, the daughter of Sir Herbert Tree, builder of His Majesty's theatre?
@bewareofpigeons
Жыл бұрын
And niece of the essayist and caricaturist Sir Max Beerbohm. The story goes that Herbert Beerbohm added Tree to his name as he thought it would be easier for the public to cry when calling for his appearance on stage after a theatrical triumph.
These should be much longer. WHY click on for1.58 mins.Its self defeating. !!
@vickijohnson4668
4 жыл бұрын
They are just the right length to be intriguing. Then you can do your own research! 😉