Dorelia McNeill

[3] While attending the Westminster School of Art in 1903 she met Gwen John, who in turn introduced her to her brother Augustus.

[4] During a stay in Toulouse Gwen John painted several oils of McNeill, including Dorelia in a Black Dress,[5] before the two proceeded to Paris, where they briefly shared quarters in 1904.

[7] McNeill left for Bruges with a Belgian artist, and was pursued by Augustus, with whom she returned to England.

[8] The arrangement lasted until Nettleship's death in 1907, when McNeill became the principal female figure in the John household.

[4][10] In Gwen John's work she appears detached and simply dressed; in Augustus John's art she at times served more exotic purposes, wearing scarves and long dresses,[11] but was also the subject of domestic scenes, including those which show her with Augustus' first wife and their children.