Casgliadau Arlein

Cyfarfu'r arlunydd â Dylan Thomas (1914-53) yn Nhafarn Fitzroy, ym 1935 mae'n debyg, a'i gyflwyno i Caitlin Macnamara. Priodwyd y ddau ym 1937. Un o bâr o bortreadau yw hwn gan John. Mae'n debyg iddo gael ei wneud ar ddiwedd 1937 neu ddechrau 1983 pan oedd Thomas a'i wraig yn aros yn nhy^ ei mam yn Swydd Hampshire ger cartref John yn Freyern Court. Cofiai'r arlunydd 'Cytunodd i adael i mi ei beintio ddwywaith, a'r ail bortread oedd y mwyaf llwyddiannus: o roi potel o gwrw iddo, eisteddai yno'n amyneddgar iawn.'

The artist met Dylan Thomas (1914-53) at the Fitzroy Tavern, probably in 1935, and introduced him to Caitlin Macnamara, whom he married in 1937. This is one of a pair of portraits of the young poet by John. Both probably date from late 1937 or early 1938 when Thomas and his wife were staying at her mother's house in Hampshire not far from John's home at Fryern Court. The artist recalled 'I got him to to sit for me twice, the second portrait being the more successful: provided with a bottle of beer he sat very patiently.'