A Boy 1915

Augustus John painted this portrait of ‘A Boy’ with oil on canvas, and the layered brushstrokes describe form through light and shadow. The painting has a restrained palette – mainly greys, browns, and whites – which creates a sense of depth and volume. Up close, you can really see the textures he has made. The paint handling is both controlled and loose, which is an interesting combination, with visible brushwork creating a tactile surface. Take a look at the boy’s shirt, you can see how John used short, broken strokes of white and cream to suggest the folds and creases of the fabric. The way he captures the light, gives the shirt a subtle shimmer, as if the light is bouncing off it. This kind of approach to painting, and its handling of light and texture, feels reminiscent of artists like Manet, who was also fascinated by the effects of light on surfaces. What do you think?