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Sir Desmond MacCarthy

(1877-1952), Writer and critic

Sitter in 23 portraits
Literary journalist. A gifted conversationalist, he was a member of the Apostles at Trinity College, Cambridge and began his journalistic career as a contributor to The Spectator. He was a friend of Bertrand Russell, Thomas Hardy and Henry James, and was invited by Roger Fry to become secretary for the first Post-Impressionist exhibition. Although he refused to see himself as a member of Bloomsbury, he was a founding member of the Memoir Club in 1920, and a regular at Fitzroy Square parties. His output as a critic was prolific and highly respected.

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Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Robin Craig Guthrie - NPG 3936

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Robin Craig Guthrie
pencil, 1938
NPG 3936

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Duncan Grant - NPG 4468

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Duncan Grant
pencil, circa 1938
NPG 4468

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Duncan Grant - NPG 5024

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Duncan Grant
oil on canvas, circa 1942
NPG 5024

The Memoir Club, by Vanessa Bell - NPG 6718

The Memoir Club

by Vanessa Bell
oil on canvas, circa 1943
NPG 6718

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Duncan Grant - NPG 4842

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Duncan Grant
oil on canvas, 1944
NPG 4842

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Lady Ottoline Morrell - NPG Ax141474

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Lady Ottoline Morrell
vintage snapshot print, 1923
NPG Ax141474

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Lady Ottoline Morrell - NPG Ax141693

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Lady Ottoline Morrell
vintage snapshot print, 5 July 1923
NPG Ax141693

Sir Desmond MacCarthy, by Lady Ottoline Morrell - NPG Ax143219

Sir Desmond MacCarthy

by Lady Ottoline Morrell
vintage snapshot print, 1929
NPG Ax143219

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