Deathbed Portrait of Vanessa Bell by Duncan Grant Discovered
A rare pencil and biro drawing found in family papers joins the Charleston collection.
1Rare Artistic Discovery
A poignant pencil and biro drawing of artist Vanessa Bell, created by her lifelong friend Duncan Grant, was recently rediscovered among family papers. The sketch, depicting Bell at her bedside, emerged during preparations for an upcoming Tate Britain exhibition. It provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the final moments of the Bloomsbury Group icon.
2Discrepancy in Dating
Although Grant inscribed the drawing with the date April 14, 1961, historical records confirm Bell died at the farmhouse a week earlier. Experts at Charleston suggest Grant likely added the date from memory years later while organizing his studio archives. Despite the chronological error, the drawing remains a significant piece of personal history.
3Intimacy of the Sketch
The drawing captures a quiet, bedside perspective, reflecting the deep bond between the two artists. Darren Clarke, head of collections at Charleston, notes the extraordinary economy of the lines used to depict a face Grant had known for half a century. It serves as a final, tender tribute from one partner to another.
4Bloomsbury Group Legacy
Grant and Bell shared a complex, long-lasting partnership, living and working together at the 17th-century Charleston farmhouse for decades. Their relationship included the birth of their daughter, Angelica, in 1918. Both artists are now buried side-by-side in the churchyard of St Peter’s in Firle, marking the end of their intertwined lives and creative careers.
5Tate Britain Exhibition
The discovery coincides with the upcoming exhibition titled Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant: Inside Bloomsbury, scheduled at Tate Britain from November 2026 to April 2027. While the drawing will be featured in the exhibition catalogue, it will not be displayed at the Tate, as it is reserved for the Charleston farmhouse collection.
6Public Display Plans
The portrait is set to make its public debut at the Charleston farmhouse in May 2027. This unveiling will coincide with the reopening of Grant’s studio following extensive conservation work. Visitors will finally be able to view this moving piece in the very environment where the two artists spent their most productive years.
7Strategic Acquisition Campaign
The drawing was donated to Charleston as part of the 50 for 50 campaign. This initiative aims to repatriate 50 major works by the Bloomsbury Group to the farmhouse by 2030. The project celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Charleston Trust, which maintains the site as a museum and vital cultural archive.
8Growing Artistic Recognition
Vanessa Bell’s reputation has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, following her first major solo exhibition in 2017 at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Previously, many of her works remained in storage at the Tate. This new discovery further solidifies her standing as a central figure within the influential Bloomsbury artistic circle.
Original article: The Art Newspaper — Deathbed Portrait of Vanessa Bell by Duncan Grant Discovered