J Allen St John
1875 ~ 1957
This painting just came up for auction, the first time it
has ever been offered to the general public. I had known
about this painting for decades but had never seen it. I
was very surprised to see it was a "copy" of English
artist Arthur Wardle's 1909 painting titled
The Bacchante
painted 14 years ealier than the St John painting!
Yes, St John expanded the canvas and changed the hues
but the concept and layout are Wardle's
Compare them for yourself!
Arthur Wardle 1864-1949The Bacchante ~ 1909
Several more of Wardle's paintings of big cats!
Look at the cat in the background...remind you of another artist?