Gallery | Tate Images

Vanessa Bell (1879 - 1961) was an English modernist painter, interior designer, sister to Virginia Wolf, and a leading member of the Bloomsbury Group.

Bell was, as can be seen by these images, an avid photographer, taking snapshots of her family and friends (including Duncan Grant, Lytton Strachey, George Mallory, Leonard and Virginia Woolf and Roger Fry) from 1900 until the late 1940s, providing a unique visual record of the everyday life at their country residence of Charleston Farmhouse.

Vanessa Bell's daughter, Angelica Garnett (1918-2012), generously donated these photographs, along with their copyright to Tate in 1981, 1988 and 1992 for the benefit of both Tate and the Charleston Farmhouse Trust.

Please contact Tate Images for more information on usage.

M00151 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry handing Angelica Bell a shoe through an open window, with Judith Bagenal in the background, outside Bell's home 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Photograph of Roger Fry handing Angelica Bell a shoe through an open window, with Judith Bagenal in the background, outside Bell's home 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00151

M00150 © Tate Images | Photograph of (left to right): Roger Fry, Desmond McCarthy and Clive Bell sitting in the garden at Bell's home, 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of (left to right): Roger Fry, Desmond McCarthy and Clive Bell sitting in the garden at Bell's home, 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00150

M00149 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell with her daughter, Angelica Bell, sitting on her lap

Photograph of Vanessa Bell with her daughter, Angelica Bell, sitting on her lap

Unknown photographer

M00149

M00148 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry and his son Julian on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of Roger Fry and his son Julian on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00148

M00147 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell petting Henry the dog, in the garden at her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell petting Henry the dog, in the garden at her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00147

M00146 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry's daughter, Pamela Fry, standing outside a house, smiling, Guildford, Surrey

Photograph of Roger Fry's daughter, Pamela Fry, standing outside a house, smiling, Guildford, Surrey

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00146

M00145 © Tate Images | Photograph of Marjorie Strachey and Clive Bell standing on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of Marjorie Strachey and Clive Bell standing on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00145

M00144 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell and her brother Thoby Stephen sitting under a tree, on holiday at Fritham House, Hampshire

Photograph of Vanessa Bell and her brother Thoby Stephen sitting under a tree, on holiday at Fritham House, Hampshire

Unknown photographer

M00144

M00143 © Tate Images | Photograph of actress Chattie Salaman and friend Angelica Bell posing as models, in costume, for Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell's mural at Berwick Church

Photograph of actress Chattie Salaman and friend Angelica Bell posing as models, in costume, for Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell's mural at Berwick Church

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00143

M00142 © Tate Images | Photograph of standing (left to right): choreographer Frederic Ashton, ballet dancer Lydia Lopokova, Duncan Grant; sitting: dancer William (Billy) Chappell, toasting their glasses outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of standing (left to right): choreographer Frederic Ashton, ballet dancer Lydia Lopokova, Duncan Grant; sitting: dancer William (Billy) Chappell, toasting their glasses outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00142

M00141 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell standing on a road, with a horse pulling a cart, Studland farm, Dorset

Photograph of Vanessa Bell standing on a road, with a horse pulling a cart, Studland farm, Dorset

Unknown photographer

M00141

M00140 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa and Clive Bell with their sons Julian (left) and Quentin, standing around a large container in the garden at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Photograph of Vanessa and Clive Bell with their sons Julian (left) and Quentin, standing around a large container in the garden at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00140

M00139 © Tate Images | Photograph of a young Julian Fry (centre), standing holding a spade and playing with two children (possibly Julian Bell and Pamela Fry) on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of a young Julian Fry (centre), standing holding a spade and playing with two children (possibly Julian Bell and Pamela Fry) on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00139

M00138 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, sitting outside on a doorstep. Possibly taken at the artist Simon Bussy's villa, near Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Photograph of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, sitting outside on a doorstep. Possibly taken at the artist Simon Bussy's villa, near Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Unknown photographer

M00138

M00136 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell standing outside the door to her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell standing outside the door to her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00136

M00135 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant smoking and holding a straw hat, leaning against a pillar outside at his home 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Photograph of Duncan Grant smoking and holding a straw hat, leaning against a pillar outside at his home 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00135

M00134 © Tate Images | Portrait photograph of a young Clive Bell, seated

Portrait photograph of a young Clive Bell, seated

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00134

M00133 © Tate Images | Photograph of Clive Bell, sitting, smoking a cigar on the balcony outside his house, 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London

Photograph of Clive Bell, sitting, smoking a cigar on the balcony outside his house, 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00133

M00131 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant sitting on a wall at his rental cottage 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Photograph of Duncan Grant sitting on a wall at his rental cottage 'La Bergère', Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00131

M00130 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry standing and smiling by a stone wall, Guildford, Surrey

Photograph of Roger Fry standing and smiling by a stone wall, Guildford, Surrey

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00130

M00129 © Tate Images | Black and white negative of a group at a picnic in High and Over, Seaford. The following people are shown in this picture: Francis Birrell and Clive Bell seen from behind, Julian Bell, Duncan Grant, Angelica Bell, Angus Davidson, Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Richard Kennedy and Quentin Bell.

Black and white negative of a group at a picnic in High and Over, Seaford. The following people are shown in this picture: Francis Birrell and Clive Bell seen from behind, Julian Bell, Duncan Grant, Angelica Bell, Angus Davidson, Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Richard Kennedy and Quentin Bell.

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00129

M00128 © Tate Images | Photograph of Quentin Bell lying on the grass at a picnic with friends and family, High and Over, East Sussex

Photograph of Quentin Bell lying on the grass at a picnic with friends and family, High and Over, East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00128

M00127 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell looking out of the passenger seat window of a car, Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Photograph of Vanessa Bell looking out of the passenger seat window of a car, Cassis, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Unknown photographer

M00127

M00126 © Tate Images | Photograph of Clive Bell (left) and Lytton Strachey sitting outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Clive Bell (left) and Lytton Strachey sitting outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00126

M00125 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant sitting on a table, barefoot, outside the drawing room at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Duncan Grant sitting on a table, barefoot, outside the drawing room at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00125

M00124 © Tate Images | Photograph of standing (left to right): Angus Davidson, Duncan Grant, Julian Bell and Leonard Woolf; sitting: Virginia Woolf, Margaret Duckworth, Clive and Vanessa Bell, all posing outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of standing (left to right): Angus Davidson, Duncan Grant, Julian Bell and Leonard Woolf; sitting: Virginia Woolf, Margaret Duckworth, Clive and Vanessa Bell, all posing outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00124

M00123 © Tate Images | Photograph of David Garnett, sitting in the open cockpit of his aeroplane, wearing flying goggles and hat

Photograph of David Garnett, sitting in the open cockpit of his aeroplane, wearing flying goggles and hat

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00123

M00122 © Tate Images | Black and white negative of a group with a sculpture of a bust with a wine bottle replacing the head and supporting a hat, in the garden at Charleston, Firle, Sussex. The following people are shown in this picture: Standing, Frances Patridge, Quentin and Julian Bell, Duncan Grant, Clive Bell and Beatrice Mayor. Seated: Roger fry and Raymond Mortimer (in the

Black and white negative of a group with a sculpture of a bust with a wine bottle replacing the head and supporting a hat, in the garden at Charleston, Firle, Sussex. The following people are shown in this picture: Standing, Frances Patridge, Quentin and Julian Bell, Duncan Grant, Clive Bell and Beatrice Mayor. Seated: Roger fry and Raymond Mortimer (in the

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00122

M00121 © Tate Images | Photograph of Clive Bell, Virginia Woolf and Julian Bell sitting outside on a bench, Blean, Canterbury, Kent

Photograph of Clive Bell, Virginia Woolf and Julian Bell sitting outside on a bench, Blean, Canterbury, Kent

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00121

M00120 © Tate Images | Photograph of Virginia Woolf and brother-in-law Clive Bell standing on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of Virginia Woolf and brother-in-law Clive Bell standing on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00120

M00119 © Tate Images | Photograph of Clive Bell and sister-in-law Virginia Woolf sitting on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of Clive Bell and sister-in-law Virginia Woolf sitting on the beach in their swimwear, Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00119

M00118 © Tate Images | Photograph of Clive Bell and Saxon Sydney-Turner sitting outside reading at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Photograph of Clive Bell and Saxon Sydney-Turner sitting outside reading at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00118

M00117 © Tate Images | Photograph of Lytton Strachey, smiling, sitting in the garden at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham house', Sussex

Photograph of Lytton Strachey, smiling, sitting in the garden at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham house', Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00117

M00116 © Tate Images | Photograph of Quentin Bell kneeling and playing on a rock in the pond at his home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Quentin Bell kneeling and playing on a rock in the pond at his home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00116

M00115 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant with his daughter Angelica Bell (right) and her cousin Judith Stephen, in the garden at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Duncan Grant with his daughter Angelica Bell (right) and her cousin Judith Stephen, in the garden at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00115

M00114 © Tate Images | Photograph of Quentin and Julian Bell, wearing loin cloths, punting on the pond at their home, 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Quentin and Julian Bell, wearing loin cloths, punting on the pond at their home, 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00114

M00113 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell and her son Julian, with Clive Bell and their maid Mabel Selwood in the background, on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Photograph of Vanessa Bell and her son Julian, with Clive Bell and their maid Mabel Selwood in the background, on the beach, Studland Bay, Dorset

Unknown photographer

M00113

M00112 © Tate Images | Group photograph of Walter Sickert, Clive Bell, Ethel Sands and Roger Fry, with two unidentified friends, outside at Sands' home 'Newington House', Oxfordshire

Group photograph of Walter Sickert, Clive Bell, Ethel Sands and Roger Fry, with two unidentified friends, outside at Sands' home 'Newington House', Oxfordshire

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00112

M00111 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell painting 'The Annunciation' mural on South side of the nave, Berwick Church, Polegate

Photograph of Vanessa Bell painting 'The Annunciation' mural on South side of the nave, Berwick Church, Polegate

Unknown photographer

M00111

M00110 © Tate Images | Portrait photograph of Vanessa Bell, smiling, sitting outside at her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Portrait photograph of Vanessa Bell, smiling, sitting outside at her home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00110

M00109 © Tate Images | Photograph of Duncan Grant (left) and Roger Fry standing outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Duncan Grant (left) and Roger Fry standing outside at 'Charleston', East Sussex

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00109

M00108 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell sitting outside at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Photograph of Vanessa Bell sitting outside at Virginia Woolf's home 'Asheham House', Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00108

M00107 © Tate Images | Photograph of Vanessa Bell, with her sons Julian and Quentin, sitting outside on the doorstep of their home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Photograph of Vanessa Bell, with her sons Julian and Quentin, sitting outside on the doorstep of their home 'Charleston', East Sussex

Unknown photographer

M00107

M00106 © Tate Images | Photograph of Roger Fry sitting on a chair placed on a top of a wall at his home 'Durbins', Guildford, Surrey

Photograph of Roger Fry sitting on a chair placed on a top of a wall at his home 'Durbins', Guildford, Surrey

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00106

M00105 © Tate Images | Black and white negative of Roger Fry seated on a folding chair, painting by the sea at Studland Bay, Dorset

Black and white negative of Roger Fry seated on a folding chair, painting by the sea at Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M00105

M01223 © Tate Images | Photo of Leonard and Virginia Woolf and Singer car in Cassis

Photo of Leonard and Virginia Woolf and Singer car in Cassis

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M01223

M01224 © Tate Images | Photo of Elise Anghilanti and Grace Germany in Cassis

Photo of Elise Anghilanti and Grace Germany in Cassis

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M01224

M01227 © Tate Images | Black and white negative of Clive Bell, Desmond MacCarthy, Marjorie Strachey and Virginia Woolf sitting on the beach at Studland Bay, Dorset

Black and white negative of Clive Bell, Desmond MacCarthy, Marjorie Strachey and Virginia Woolf sitting on the beach at Studland Bay, Dorset

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M01227

M01600 © Tate Images | Virginia Woolf's sitting-room at 52 Tavistock Square with decorations by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant

Virginia Woolf's sitting-room at 52 Tavistock Square with decorations by Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant

Vanessa Bell
1879-1961

M01600

M01785 © Tate Images | Negative of Roger Fry and his wife seated

Negative of Roger Fry and his wife seated

Unknown

M01785