Portrait of Edwin, the artist's Son

Edwin John was born on 27 November 1905 in Paris, the fourth son of Augustus and Ida Nettleship. He grew to be a tall and robust figure and later became a middle-weight boxer to the delight of his father, but much to the disapproval of his aunt Gwen, who nurtured his talents as a watercolour artist. On her death, Edwin inherited her estate and produced a series of exhibitions which helped to secure her posthumous reputation as a painter.

The National Museum of Wales in Cardiff own two portraits of Edwin by his father, depicted as a child in circa 1911, and as a young man of around 22 years old in circa 1927.