Angus Davidson is mostly known for working as an editor and Italian translator at the Hogarth Press, but both he and his brother, the painter Douglas Davidson were rather involved with the Bloomsbury Group. Today his most well known book is his volume on Edward Lear, published in 1938, it was published by Penguin books in the 1950s. Duncan Grant painted a portrait of Davidson, as did Vanessa Bell and Cedric Morris.
Angus was one of the many lovers of Duncan Grant and so it is no surprise that Grant was given the commission of decorating Angus’s home in 1930. At this time Angus was living at 3 Heathcote Street, London, not far from King’s Cross Station. The photographs are curtesy of the RIBA.
Angus Davidson also lived in decorative splendour, owing to his friendship with Duncan. Certain staple ingredients recur in these decorations: jugs, flowers, musical instruments, curtain swags, simple ornamental patterns and loose imitation marbling.
Frances Spalding – Duncan Grant
The photograph above shows a large mural over the fireplace, painted tiles around the harth and one of Duncan’s tapestry design on a square foot stool, likely embroidered by his mother.
Above is a painted cabinet with a Bloomsbury Rug
A painted freeze and what is likely a Quentin Bell sculpture
A painted freeze behind a painted set of drawers.
Above is a painted mural and I think the fireplace board masking the air from the electric fire is likely a simpler work by Grant.