A Collector's Vision
20th-century works of art from Osbert Sitwell's home

24 July - 4 September 2004

Sir Osbert Sitwell (1892-1969) collected work by some of the finest 20th-century artists. His passion for the arts began at the age of 19 when he saw Stravinsky's Firebird at Covent Garden. After this, with his sister Edith and brother Sacheverell, he became a leading light in the artistic circles of London. He had an eye for some of the best artists of the time, for example, John Piper, who benefited greatly from Sitwell's support and commissions.

Most of Sitwell's collection is housed in the family home, Renishaw Hall, which is near Sheffield. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a museum dedicated to Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell, and a gallery showing the work of John Piper. The house reflects the family's love for Italy and its eclectic mixture of furniture and 20th-century fine art are reminiscent of the bohemian lifestyle they led. Today the Hall belongs to Sacheverell Sitwell's elder son Sir Reresby Sitwell.

Exhibitions Officer Sophie Wilson says, 'The Sitwell family are lending 29 pictures for the exhibition. Some of the most important artists of the 20th-century are represented. The Vorticists - CR Nevinson, Percy Wyndham Lewis, Edward Wadsworth, William Roberts and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska; the Omega Workshop; Paul Nash, John Piper, Rex Whistler and Cecil Beaton. We are extremely lucky to be having such a wonderful collection of 20th-century art on show in Cheltenham'.

The Vorticists were influenced by Cubism and Futurism and some of them served as War Artists during the First World War, for example Nevinson. Their work is moving, beautifully executed and at times understandably bleak. In contrast to this selection other pieces are full of colour and show happier times; the Merry-go-Round Screen by the Omega Workshop, Thérèse Lessore's painting of a Theatre Audience and Edward Wolfe's Still Life. Thérèse Lessore was married to Walter Sickert and in addition to painting also worked in textiles. Edward Wolfe studied at the Slade and became a member of the London Group. He was described as 'England's Matisse'.

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