Art Funded by you

Iceland Poppies

Vanessa Bell, c. 1908–1909

© Estate of Vanessa Bell courtesy of Henrietta Garnett

This rare example of Bell's early work hung at Charleston from the 1930's until 1978. Considered one of her finest paintings, the artist's biographer Frances Spalding has commented on the 'cool silvery tonality and concentrated mood' of the composition. Bell would have been aware of the association of poppies with opium and sleep, reinforced in the painting by the presence of the medicine bottle. There may also be an autobiographical reading in the symbolic arrangement of the three vessels, and the two white poppies slightly distanced from the third, red flower.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Iceland Poppies, c. 1908–1909

Date supported

2007

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

53 x 44 cm

Grant

20000

Total cost

200000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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