Vanessa Bell (nee Stephen) was born in central London in 1879, daughter of the Victorian scholar and writer Sir Leslie Stephen and sister of Virginia Woolf.

After her father’s death she moved to Gordon Square in Bloomsbury, where, alongside her brothers and sister, she gave birth to weekly meetings for writers, artists and intellectuals which became known as the Bloomsbury Group.

After studying at the Royal Academy of Arts under Arthur Cope she developed her talents as a painter and designer of textiles and ceramics.

Bell collaborated and worked with many members of the Bloomsbury Group such as Roger Fry and Duncan Grant, who were also her lovers, and Clive Bell whom she married in 1907.

She participated in the Second Post-impressionist exhibition and showed at Leicester Galleries and Redfern Galleries amongst others.

Reference Bibliography:
Buckman D., 2006, Artists in Britain since 1945, Vol 1, Art Dictionaries Ltd, Bristol

Glossary

  • Ceramics

    Clay based products produced from non-metallic material and fired at high temperature. The term covers all objects made of fired clay, including earthenware, porcelain, stoneware and terra cotta.

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  • Art Project