Bloomsbury: A Collective

'Bloomsbury: A Collective' provides an introduction to the artwork of The Bloomsbury Group, a collection of artistic and intellectual friends from the end of the conservative Victorian era in 19th century London. 

Our exhibition includes works from The Courtauld's collection and our own collection at Ulster Museum, with a focus on three central Bloomsbury artists—Vanessa Bell, Roger Fry and Duncan Grant. It also includes work by the Omega Workshop; a group of designers who sought to translate the ethos of The Bloomsbury Group into tangible objects. 

An extremely privileged group, The Bloomsbury Group were closely connected to British 'high society' and met in the family home of siblings Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolf, and Thoby Stephen. Their wealth and class gave them freedom to live as they desired, and time to discuss the philosophies by which they lived. Many of the group formed ideas around feminism, socialism, pacifism and sexuality, while studying at the University of Cambridge or Kings College London. The ideas, art, and literature generated by The Bloomsbury Group had an enormous influence on the rest of the twentieth century.

Our 'Bloomsbury: A Collective' exhibition is part of an on going collaboration between The Courtauld and Ulster Museum. This is part of The Courtauld National Partners Programme with the intention of sharing The Courtauld’s collection with audiences across the United Kingdom.