Editing Augustus John (section)

==Provence==
In February 1910, John visited and fell in love with the town of [[Martigues]], in [[Provence]], located halfway between Arles and Marseilles, and first seen from a train en route to Italy.<ref>Easton and Holroyd, page 64.</ref> John wrote that Provence "had been for years the goal of my dreams" and Martigues was the town for which he felt the greatest affection. "With a feeling that I was going to find what I was seeking, an anchorage at last, I returned from Marseilles, and, changing at Pas des Lanciers, took the little railway which leads to Martigues. On arriving my premonition proved correct: there was no need to seek further."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/john-the-little-railway-martigues-n05097|title='The Little Railway, Martigues', Augustus John OM, 1928|website=Tate}}</ref> The connection with Provence continued until 1928, by which time John felt the town had lost its simple charm, and he sold his home there.<ref>Easton and Holroyd, page 184.</ref>

John was, throughout his life, particularly interested in the [[Romani people]] (whom he referred to as "Gypsies"), and sought them out on his frequent travels around the United Kingdom and Europe, learning to speak various versions of their language. For a time, shortly after his marriage, he and his family, which included his wife Ida, mistress Dorothy (Dorelia) McNeill, and John's children by both women, travelled in a caravan, in gypsy fashion.<ref>Easton and Holroyd, pages 12–13.</ref> Later on he became the President of the [[Gypsy Lore Society]], a position he held from 1937 until his death in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sca.lib.liv.ac.uk/collections/colldescs/gypsy/jglsobits.htm |title=The University of Liverpool ~ SC&A; ~ Home |access-date=2010-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129033428/http://sca.lib.liv.ac.uk/collections/colldescs/gypsy/jglsobits.htm |archive-date=29 January 2010 }}</ref>

By 1913, John was successful enough to commission a new home and studio at Mallord Street, Chelsea, from architect [[Robert van 't Hoff]].<ref name="vch" />