Vivian Forbes Paintings

Vivian Forbes was an English painter, known for his association with the Bloomsbury Group and his romantic relationship with the painter Glyn Philpot. Born in 1891, Forbes came from a military family but found his passion in the arts. He was educated at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, which was a leading institution for art training in the UK and had a reputation for fostering the talents of many prominent British artists.

Forbes' art style was heavily influenced by his time with the Bloomsbury Group, which was an influential group of English writers, intellectuals, philosophers, and artists. The group's members included Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, E. M. Forster, and Lytton Strachey, among others. Forbes' association with this group brought him into the center of an avant-garde cultural circle that celebrated artistic experimentation and liberal social values.

His work often reflected the aesthetics of the time, with a focus on portraiture and figure painting. Forbes was known for his sensitive handling of form and color, as well as his ability to capture the personalities of his subjects. Despite his talent, he did not achieve the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries.

Forbes' personal life was marked by his relationship with Philpot, which lasted until Philpot's death in 1937. The two artists lived and worked together for many years, and Forbes was deeply affected by Philpot's death. Sadly, Forbes took his own life just a few months after Philpot passed away, ending a partnership that was both personal and professional.

Although Forbes' life was relatively short, his contributions to the arts during the early 20th century were significant. His works remain a testament to the vibrant cultural milieu of the Bloomsbury Group and their impact on British art. Today, Forbes is recognized for his artistic skill and his place within a critical moment in the history of British art.