This is a tale of books, having pulled out Frances Spalding book of John Piper to flit through I began to want to read her Vanessa Bell book, which I had left behind with many others book in the old house. So I tackled Amazon only to find that it was either a £121 to get a good copy or £16 odd for a paperback, well you can guess which one I sent for. The booksellers make a good profit, my copy had a £2 sticker on it!
My love says who is Vanessa Bell? Bloomsbury people I say, not sure whether to call this artistic group dissolute or anything else but they are fascinating and of course Vanessa was sister to Virginia Woolf, very artistic in her own right, painted within the house at Charleston in her own style along with Duncan Grant and she even designed fabric. I'm not saying I like her art, but I like the expression of it if that makes sense.
The lives of the moderately well off in the early 20th century is a tale of class and inherited wealth, the Bloomsbury group were breaking away from the social and polite manners of this time and enough has been written of them individually but Vanessa was a striking woman, not only for her beauty but because she followed her artistic career whilst running a home and caring for three children and managing to keep her lovers in line as friends as well.
The lives of the moderately well off in the early 20th century is a tale of class and inherited wealth, the Bloomsbury group were breaking away from the social and polite manners of this time and enough has been written of them individually but Vanessa was a striking woman, not only for her beauty but because she followed her artistic career whilst running a home and caring for three children and managing to keep her lovers in line as friends as well.
 |
Snowdrops are never quite wild, these planted in a little copse have covered the ground under the trees. |
The snowdrops are two weeks early this year.
http://www.greatbritishgardens.co.uk/snowdrops.htm
I have only recently nibbled at the edges of the Bloomsbury set - and I'm currently reading Virginia Woolf's "Jacob's Room". I'm not entirely comfortable with her writing style(s) but I am keen to overcome my ignorance and learn more about her and the others of the group.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you found the copy of the Vanessa Bell book. None of my Edward Thomas books are cheap either . . .
I love finding out about the people behind the art movement, Bloomsbury set etc. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi BB, yes Virginia Woolf is difficult to read, tried many years ago, the recommended book I've seen so far is Jane Dunn's 'Virginia Woolf And Vanessa Bell: A Very Close Conspiracy'.
ReplyDeleteHi Jarmara, think I like the tales of the females in history, Vanessa was very creative and hardworking......
Gosh Thelma, that makes me feel so much better, knowing that you found her a less than straightforward writer to read. I have Jacob's Room as a bedside book, and I think really it should be downstairs reading, only THAT is the Matthew Hollis biography of Edward Thomas. Sigh. I shall look out for the Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf book.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I have the most TERRIBLE hankering to fall in love with Jamie again, in Diana Gabaldon's novels . . .