Beyond Bloomsbury: Life, Love and Legacy

The extraordinary writers, artists and thinkers of the Bloomsbury Group had a profound effect on British art and literature. Prolific, passionate and hugely gifted, their story is just as compelling as the remarkable work they created.

This major exhibition chronicled the lives, loves and work of the group during the first half of the 20th century. As well as celebrating the group’s key figures, including writer and feminist pioneer, Virginia Woolf and her sister, painter Vanessa Bell, the displays shone a spotlight on their often overlooked peers and reflected on the group’s place in queer art history.

Primarily drawn from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection and enhanced with key works from Sheffield Museums and York Museums Trust, works on display included paintings by Duncan Grant, Roger Fry and Dora Carrington, sculptures by Vanessa Bell and Marcel Gimmond and drawings and photographs by John Nash, George Charles Beresford and Cecil Beaton. 

Also on show was a portrait of Virginia Bell by Ray Strachey which had never been on public display, alongside supporting material from Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West and Bernard Shaw. The exhibition also included new works by the artist Sahara Longe specially commissioned by York Museums Trust and Sheffield Museums to respond to the exhibition and the work of Bloomsbury artists.

In partnership with York Museums Trust and the National Portrait Gallery.