The Flowered Toque 1919

Augustus John made this print of a woman in a flower hat, etched in ink on a plate, at an unknown date. The lines feel tentative, alive, and very close, like a fast doodle in your notebook. The etching feels like a process of discovery. It’s not precise but it has a lovely looseness, particularly in the woman’s expression. Her eyes especially, feel like John is feeling her out as he draws, trying to find the essence of her character. Look at the different marks he makes, little dashes and scribbles in her hair contrasting with the long, elegant lines of her neck and shoulders. The contrast makes the image so dynamic, not just a flat description but a living, breathing impression. The flowers in her hat, these lovely swirls of ink, remind me a bit of the flower drawings of Odilon Redon. But where Redon feels otherworldly, John brings us right into the room, capturing the warmth and personality of his model. It's a quick take, a bit rough around the edges, but full of life.