In 1911, Roger Fry and Vanessa Bell began an impassioned affair and this work captures that profound yet fleeting romantic bond. Bell spent much of the summer at Fry’s house whilst recovering from a serious bout of physical and mental illness. Unable to paint, she spent most of her time sitting or sleeping in deck chairs as depicted here. Fry was immensely attentive, and Bell later wrote to him; ‘What nurse was ever so good as you…?’

Find this work at Philip Mould & Company's booth at Frieze Masters 2023 (F7)

Roger Fry
Summer in the Garden, 1911
Signed 'Roger Fry' lower left
Oil on panel

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Filmed by Mike Hopkins (@mikehopkinsfilm)