The Pilgrim 

Gwen John created this oil on canvas painting, called 'The Pilgrim', at an unknown date. The image presents a woman in a habit-like dress with a blue cloak, holding what seems to be a rosary. The title, of course, has strong religious connotations, specifically for the Catholic Church, which is reinforced by the rosary beads in the sitter’s hands. John moved to France in 1904 and, towards the end of the 1910s, she converted to Catholicism. It was around this time that she made studies of women in religious dress. We can consider how this image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references and historical associations. Perhaps John's paintings were a self-conscious reflection on the religious movements of her time? Or maybe it was a reflection on how she viewed her own place in the world. Examining the artist’s letters and writings from the period can help us to further consider the significance of John’s choice of subject.