Bloomsbury, Bloodshed and the Bible

Interesting evening at the Royal Institution organised by the Art Fund to launch an appeal to raise money to conserve the paintings by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant in Berwick Church.

The evening consisted of Deborah Gage interviewing Julian Fellowes about his childhood in Sussex and what the art of the area meant to him. This was followed by a lovely presentation looking at how the pictures were commissioned and talking you through the iconography using quotes from letters and accompanied by lovely pieces sung by baritone, Michael Bunting. It brought the pictures to life but I felt was a bit heavy on the symbolism given that the artists were not religious.
 
This event had two added bonus’s, firstly that is was held in the iconic lecture theatre at the Royal Institution and secondly that there was a nice drinks reception afterwards and a chance to meet up with friends and fellow Bloomsbury nuts.

 

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