The two friends

This playful scene of two young women dressed in imaginary costumes displays John's effortless skill in creating rapidly wrought, light hearted and spontaneous images. Wyndham Lewis described it as his 'fits of seeing'. The present sketch can be related to others by him that appeared in his studio sale held at Christie's, London, 20 July 1962 lots 23, 74 and 94 and another sketch illustrated in John Rothenstein's, Augustus John, London, 1944, also entitled The Two Friends illustrated p. 9.

We are grateful to Rebecca John for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.