San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice

After the end of the Second World War, Vanessa Bell was able to resume her painting visits to the Continent, especially to France and Italy. She was in Venice on several occasions, always with Duncan Grant and other friends such as the painter Edward Le Bas. She stayed at the Pensione Seguso overlooking the Guidecca, old-fashioned, comfortable and cheap. In the 1950s Bell no longer ventured much beyond the hotel and frequently set up her easel along the quayside. Here she is almost exactly in front of the Seguso looking across towards San Giorgio Maggiore.

The painting is highly representative of Bell’s late manner. The application of paint is more tentative than before and there is a more impressionist handling of detail. The strong vertical of the church and masts t are also highly typical. This visit to Venice was to be her last.

The painting was exhibited with the Royal West of England’s annual exhibition, Bristol, to which Bell had submitted works for several years. It was later purchased by Prof. E. Boyland (1905-2002) who was a world-renowned biochemist. For many years he lived at 42 Bramerton St., Chelsea, and was a well-known collector and amateur artist.

We are very grateful to Richard Shone for preparing this catalogue entry.