Augustus Edwin John, O.M., R.A. (1878-1961)

Vivien was the younger daughter of Augustus John by Dorelia McNeill, Vivien and her sister Poppet had a bohemian childhood. Unlike their brothers and half brothers they were not sent to school, but were allowed to run free. They grew up in Hampshire, at Alderney Manor and then Fryern Court, near Fordingbridge (see lot 71, fig. 1). Vivien was often painted by her father, and also by the artist Henry Lamb (1883-1960). Brenda Dean Paul may be thought of as one of the 'Bright Young Things' of the 1920s.

The sitter on the verso of this drawing is the same as that depicted in lot 62.