Significant Form

Sir Max Beerbohm (1872-1956)

Charleston

1921

The caricature is a witty and affectionate comment on the personal and professional relationship between Roger Fry and Clive Bell and their positions as art critics. Published in 1914, Bell's 'Art' set out his theory of significant form, and Fry reviewed the publication. The text next to the drawing reads: 'Mr Clive Bell: I always think that when one feels one's been carrying a theory too far, then's the time to carry it a little further. Mr Roger Fry: A little? Good heavens, man! Are you growing old?'

• Medium: pencil & watercolour on paper
• Dimensions: 32.5 x 21.5cm
• Art Fund Grant: £4260 ( Total: £6,760)
• ArtFunded in: 2003
• Vendor: The Bloomsbury Workshop

Provenance

Leicester Galleries; A Rutherston, 1921; Ronald Searl by 1956; Thomas Agnew & Sons; Barbara Bagenal; Sotheby's, 2002; Bloomsbury Workshop.

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