A rare collaborative painting has been successfully returned to its original home at Charleston in East Sussex, England, as part of an ambitious campaign to restore the historic artist's studio a century after its construction. The artwork, titled "Flowers in a Jar," was created jointly by renowned British artist Duncan Grant and Russian painter George Bergen during their romantic relationship in the early 20th century.
The painting will now be displayed publicly at Charleston, which served as a central gathering place for some of the most innovative and radical artists of the 20th century. This significant acquisition represents not only a homecoming for the artwork but also adds a rare example of artistic collaboration to Charleston's permanent collection. The piece holds particular historical importance as it was created during the height of Grant and Bergen's love affair, serving as both an artistic achievement and a personal record of their relationship.
After spending more than four decades in various private collections, the painting resurfaced earlier this year when it was sold at Gorringe's auction house in Lewes. The artwork exceeded all expectations, selling for eight times its original estimate, demonstrating the significant value and rarity of collaborative works from this period. The successful return of the painting to Charleston was made possible through the generous contributions of individual donors and support from a government fund specifically designed to help regional museums acquire important objects related to the arts.
Nathaniel Hepburn MBE, who serves as director and chief executive of Charleston, expressed his enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating: "Bringing this painting back to Charleston is a moving and important moment. It reunites us with a work that Duncan Grant lived with every day and adds a rare example of collaboration to our collection." Hepburn also acknowledged the crucial support provided by Arts Council England in making this acquisition possible.
The timing of the painting's return coincides with Charleston's launch of Studio 100, an ambitious fundraising campaign aimed at raising £250,000 for essential repairs and sustainability upgrades to the historic studio. According to Hepburn, this campaign represents a critical effort to "conserve the studio itself and safeguard its legacy for generations to come." The funds will be used to address necessary maintenance issues while implementing modern sustainability features to ensure the studio's preservation for future visitors and researchers.
The successful return of "Flowers in a Jar" highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the artistic heritage of Charleston, ensuring that these important works remain accessible to the public while maintaining their connection to their original creative environment. This acquisition demonstrates the continued relevance and value of collaborative artistic works from the early 20th century.
