Charleston
Published on 1. May 2004
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-7112-2370-7 (ISBN)
Description
Set in the heart of the Sussex Downs, Charleston Farmhouse is the most important remaining example of Bloomsbury decorative style, created by the painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Quentin Bell, the younger son of Clive and Vanessa Bell, and his daughter Virghinia Nicholson, tell the story of this unique house, linking it with some of the leading cultural figures who were invited there, including Vanessa's sister Virginia Woolf, the writer Lytton Strachey, the economist Maynard Keynes and the art critic Roger Fry. The house and garden are portrayed through Alen MacWeeney's atmostpheric photographs; pictures from Vanessa Bell's family album convey the flavour of the household in its heyday.
Reviews / Votes
a fabulous DIY story, with lashings of eminent Edwardians Independent Here is a view of the quintessential Bloomsbury house through the eyes of a child and grandchild of Clive and Vanessa Bell. It gives warm and intimate views of unorthodox lives ... the pictures are a glorious reminder of Charleston's enduring influence TimesMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
160 photographs
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 250 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-7112-2370-7 (9780711223707)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Quentin Bell (1910 - 1996) the younger son of Clive and Vanessa Bell, grew up at Charleston. He was a painter, sculptor, potter and art critic, and held chairs in Fine Art and History of Art at the universities of Leeds, Oxford and Sussex. His books include the prize-winning Virginia Woolf: A Biography, Bloomsbury and a memoir, Elders and Betters.Virginia Nicholson is the elder daughter of Quentin and Olivier Bell. Virginia spent her childhood holidays at Charleston, and is now is a trustee of the house. She is also the author of a series of acclaimed social histories, including Among the Bohemians: Experiments in Living 1900 - 1939. She is married to a writer, has three children and lives in Sussex. In June 2019, Virginia was elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.