SIMPLE PLEASURES

Opening 150 years after the artist's birth, 'Strange Beauties', a new exhibition of paintings by Gwen John, celebrates her ability to find loveliness in the ordinary

- CHLOE ASHBY

National Museum Cardiff

Gwen John was about 22 years old when she painted her landlady, Mrs Atkinson, sitting in a room. It's an unassuming portrait – you could even call it ordinary – and therein lies its charm. The floral wallpaper is faded, a hazy wash of chestnut. The papery edges of the drawing tacked to the wall are crumpled and curled, like the petals of days-old flowers in a vase. In her black clothes, Mrs Atkinson is a looming presence; squint, and her triangular form morphs into a shadowy mountain. And those eyes: pale and glassy, ferrying heavy lids and bags, pink-rimmed. Has she been crying? Pressed down onto her lap beneath her hands is a crisp white handkerchief.