Rug design for the Omega Workshops Ltd

Attributed to Vanessa Bell or Duncan Grant

1913-15

Opaque watercolour, pencil and collage on paper

61.5 x 31.2 cm

This drawing was made during an intense period of creativity for Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, lovers at the time and working closely together. Omega works were never signed, so we cannot be certain which of the two artists created this drawing.

Bell’s and Grant’s rug designs are amongst the earliest examples of abstract art in Europe, and led them to experiment briefly with pure abstraction in their paintings. In 2021 The Courtauld commissioned a rug based on this drawing, and made of recycled fibres. Visitors are invited to walk on this new rug.

Pamela Diamand gift, 1958

Photo Ⓒ Estate of Vanessa Bell. All rights reserved, DACS 2021. Ⓒ Estate of Duncan Grant. All rights reserved, DACS 2021.