Jean Jones (artist) facts for kids
Jean Verity Jones (born July 5, 1927 – died April 28, 2012) was an English painter. She lived most of her life in Oxford, Devon, and Primrose Hill. Jean created over 400 artworks, including landscapes, portraits, and still lifes. Her paintings often showed influences from art styles like Expressionism and Post-Impressionism. People often described her art as "poetic" and "lyrical." Her work was like a visual diary, showing her feelings and the places she lived.
Jean faced some health challenges during her life. These difficulties sometimes made it hard for her to focus on her art career. Despite these challenges, her talent was recognized. She had her own art show at the famous Ashmolean Museum in 1980. Important art critics like David Carritt praised her work. The well-known writer Iris Murdoch even believed that Jean would one day be 'as famous as Van Gogh'.
About Jean Verity Jones
Her Early Life and Education
Jean Jones was born in London on July 5, 1927. Her parents were Ella and Samuel Robinson. Her brother, John Armstrong Robinson, also had an important career working for the government.
After finishing school, Jean briefly studied art at Saint Martin's School of Art in London. She learned from a teacher named Ruskin Spear. However, she decided to pause her painting passion to study English at Girton College, Cambridge.
Later, Jean married John Jones. He was a professor at Merton College, Oxford and later became the Oxford Professor of Poetry. Jean and John moved to Oxford right away and started their family. They had two children, Jeremy and Janet.
Her Artistic Journey
In the early 1960s, Jean read letters written by the famous artist Vincent van Gogh. This inspired her to start painting again. Jean's art was deeply connected to the important places in her life. She often painted scenes from Primrose Hill, Oxford, and the Devon countryside.
Art critic David Carritt called her an "Expressionist." He noted that her work showed "lyrical feelings," which were usually happy, but sometimes a bit sad. Jean often painted the same places many times. She would show how the light and seasons changed them. She also captured the feelings these changes brought to her. Her paintings showed a world that was always changing and growing.
Jean's art was featured in a solo exhibition at Oxford's Ashmolean Museum in 1980. She also showed her work at other galleries, including the Bear Lane Gallery. Many notable people owned her paintings during her lifetime. These included the Tolkien family and the estate of writer William Golding. In 2020, her grandson helped organize a new exhibition of her work. This was the first time her art had been shown in over twenty years.
