Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction

by Judith Mackrell

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Non-fiction

'Outstanding' - The Guardian
'Superb' - The Telegraph
'A must read' - Anne Sebba
'Lively' - The Times

They seemed to be polar opposites . . .

vivid, volatile and promiscuous. He was a hero among romantics and bohemians, celebrated as one of the great British talents of his generation.

Gwen’s art was magnificent, but she was also more reserved, and as a woman she struggled for the recognition which has only come to her now, years after her death.

Artists, Siblings, Visionaries is a riveting story of love, infidelity, betrayal, and of two extraordinary siblings whose art and lives subverted society’s expectations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Biography

Audible Audio

Published June 19, 2025

About the author

Judith Mackrell is a writer and dance critic for the Guardian. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd come across the John siblings in other books as they were on the periphery of society, so it was great to read their stories. Gwen was so impressive in her commitment to art, Augustus on the other hand doesn't come across as a particularly good human being or particularly interesting artist.

[Julie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging account of the lives and loves of Gwen John and her brother Augustus. Augustus as a man, was inevitably the larger of the siblings and was celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest talents. Gwen however, was an exceptionally talented artist, even though she didn’t receive the same acknowledgment in her lifetime. This is a powerful portrait of the sibling’s relationship, their life, loves and art.