The Faces of Bloomsbury

Explore rarely-seen portraits that reveal the intimate lives of the Bloomsbury group within the house at Firle.

For ten weeks only, we’re showcasing ten visiting works that will hang alongside our world-leading collection of paintings, furniture and objects.

These extraordinary portraits by and of influential Bloomsbury group figures will appear for a limited time across the studio, living rooms and bedrooms here at Charleston in Firle. Whether you’re a regular visitor or a first-timer, it’s a rare opportunity to experience the house in a new light.

These artworks, generously loaned from private collections, provide a window into the personal lives and creative evolution of this group of friends and radical creatives.

A monumental portrait of Vanessa Bell by Duncan Grant, recently rediscovered in America, will be unveiled in the first UK museum showing of this work for over half a century. The life-sized portrait of his friend and lover, painted on an old door or table-top, was likely created by Grant at Charleston during the First World War.

Discover Vanessa Bell’s experimental portrait of her friend Molly MacCarthy from 1914, and Duncan Grant’s portrait of Mary Hutchinson painted a year later – both considered some of the earliest and most important British experiments in abstraction and collage.

These works offer a glimpse into the close friendships and romantic entanglements of the Bloomsbury group. From the intimate details in Roger Fry’s depiction of Vanessa Bell, painted during their brief but profound romance, to tender sketches by Grant of his lover David ‘Bunny’ Garnett.

Also on display is an early c.1902 painting by Bell of her father Leslie Stephen, a more traditional portrait produced before she discovered the freedom of European modernism that will hang next to an original work by GF Watts of Bell’s mother Julia Stephens, from Charleston’s collection.

From contemplative brushstrokes to bold compositions, there are new discoveries waiting at every turn – the perfect opportunity to revisit familiar corners and gain fresh perspectives on cherished views.

This exhibition coincides with the reopening of the dining room, a beloved space that is now ready to rediscover following twelve months of essential conservation.

Tickets are limited. We highly recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.