Gwen John at Tate Britain

I went to Tate Britain to see the Gwen John self portrait to analyse the narrative content.

My analysis - Severe, self contained. Unadorned and chaste - part of the 'Wee Free'?  Red blouse - a scarlet woman?  Neck band and cameo - Victorian? - means something but not sure what.  Strand of hair along brow.  Slightly lopsided, one eye higher than the other, and earrings definitely one higher than the other.

I had a discussion with two other gallery visitors - their analysis was: Strong, supercilious.  Don't mess with me.  Obsessed with Rodin (with whom she had an affair).  Self contained.  Tight-lipped - possibly keeps own counsel.  Vulnerable.  Melancholic.  "Self scrutinising intensity".  Privacy.

Gwen John 1876-1939, Self portrait.  1902
Courtesy of Tate Britain

Then I bought the 'Gwen John' by Alicia Taylor, Tate Publications, 2015.  GJ was trained at the Slade and also worked in Paris.  She was part of the New England Art Club and her theme was depicting women and the interior space.  The New Woman was a model of femininity from the 1890s who was often reflected and parodied in the art world.  Practical tailor-made separates (i.e. not corseted and trussed up) and dishevelled hair (i.e. not styled and manicured) were suitable for the New Woman artist.  Male artists (Singer Sargent and Whistler) were working with old master styles for grand mansions. Gwen John followed the aim of the NEAC artists to paint on a scale for the domestic venue.  

GJ's costume is the image of a powerful woman artist.  The hair, shawl and neck ribbon are mid, not late Victorian - so in a retro style for her era.  The unruly hair may indicate a refusal to conform.  The blouse/skirt combination and full sleeve shape were practical for an artist - very New Woman.  GJ is moving away from the portrayal of woman as decorative and modish, towards a self-contained, intelligent woman of robust psychology.  It is the meticulous style of oil painting with glazes that conveys a sharp and calculated scrutiny.  The cameo is of Minerva - Roman Goddess of intellect and culture.

I can't find anything related to the colour of the blouse.  I think it must mean something but I am not sure what.  She was Rodin's obsessive lover from 1904-c1914 so the self portrait pre-dates it, and I don't think the red colour is a protestation of love!