Gwen John, was born in Haverfordwest, Wales in 1876. Like her brother, Augustus John, Gwen studied at the Slade School of Art (1895-98). On leaving she worked briefly in Paris with James Whistler and returned to London in 1899, where she began to exhibit her work.

In 1903 Gwen John set out with Dorelia McNeill, to walk to Rome. They only got as far as France and Gwen made the decision to settle in Paris. Gwen continued to paint and in 1906 began modelling for the sculptor Auguste Rodin and also became his mistress.

After her conversion to Roman Catholicism in 1913 she moved to the suburban village of Meudon. In later life she concentrated on small-scale portraits and still-lifes. Gwen John died in 1939.