Artists, Siblings, Visionaries by Judith Mackrell

‘Outstanding’ – The Guardian

‘Judith Mackrell has done an incredible job in bringing to life the stories of these two great artists’ – Anthony d’Offay

‘This is a must-read . . . A deeply moving account of a family bursting with talent’ – Anne Sebba

In many ways they were polar opposites . . .

Augustus was the larger of the two; vivid, volatile and promiscuous, he was a hero among romantics and bohemians, celebrated as one of the great British talents of his generation.

As a woman, Gwen’s place in the art world was smaller and harder, and her private way of working and reserved nature meant it was only long after her death that her gift was fully acknowledged.

In Artists, Siblings, Visionaries Mackrell tells the remarkable stories of these immensely talented siblings, both of who’s experiments with form and colour created some of the most exciting work of the early twentieth century.

A gorgeously readable, insightful dual biography of British brother and sister artists Gwen and Augustus John, perfect for readers of The Unfinished Palazzo, Square Haunting and The Story of Art Without Men.

About the Author: Judith Mackrell is a celebrated dance critic, writing first for The Independent and now for The Guardian. Her biography of the Russian ballerina Lydia Lopokova, Bloomsbury Ballerina, was shortlisted for the Costa Biography Award. She has also appeared on television and radio, as well as writing on dance, co-authoring The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. She lives in London with her family.

19 Mar 2026
 

Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The lives and loves of Gwen and Augustus John by Judith Mackrell ISBN 9781529095883