This sharply observed drawing once belonged in the collection of Sir High Walpole, an important benefactor, bibliophile and patron of art. His own portrait by Augustus John is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

Augustus John was born in Tenby in 1878. He studied at the Slade School in London (1894-99) with his sister Gwen John. After injuring his head after diving into the sea while on holiday his personality changed. He grew a beard, dressed as a Bohemian and drank heavily. His painting became more adventurous and his friend, Wyndham Lewis remarked that John had become a "great man of action into whose hands the fairies had placed a paintbrush instead of a sword".

Augustus JOHN
(British 1878-1961)
Portrait of Percy Wyndham Lewis
Pencil on paper, signed: John '03

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