Artist and art teacher Áine Andrews returns with another series of lectures on Famous Paintings and their Hidden Histories. For the fifth installment of this six part lecture series, Áine will focus on Self Portrait, by Gwen John, recounting its history, as well as that of the artist and her story.

With her hair is parted in the middle the artist’s gaze is direct but withdrawn as if holding the secret of her inner life intact. The painting glows from within like a dark room lit only by firelight. A brown shawl is half-slipping off her shoulders: a brilliant device that adds movement to a composition which may otherwise be too stiff.

The whole image is held together by an interplay between restraint and freedom.