Edward Carpenter

Sitterback to top

• Edward Carpenter (1844-1929), Writer on social subjects. Sitter in 8 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Roger Fry (1866-1934), Critic and painter. Artist of 5 portraits, Sitter associated with 17 portraits.

This portraitback to top

In 1886, Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson and C. R. Ashbee invited Edward Carpenter, the sandal-wearing socialist, to lecture in Cambridge. He made a huge impression, not least on Roger Fry, who was then in his second year as an undergraduate. Together with Ashbee, Fry went to visit Carpenter in Derbyshire and they became friends. In 1894, Fry painted this portrait of him, looking suitably raffish, alone in a bleak interior and wearing what Fry called his 'anarchist overcoat'. Following Carpenter's death in 1929, Fry offered the portrait to the Gallery: 'In view of the position that the late Edward Carpenter held in the world of social reform you may, I think, wish to have a portrait of him. I knew him well in my youth and one of my earliest more or less complete works was a portrait of him. I should be very glad to offer this to the National Portrait Gallery should it be found acceptable.'

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Funnell, Peter (introduction); Marsh, Jan, A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Portraits, 2011, p. 9
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 163
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 163
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 105
• Spalding, Frances, Insights: The Bloomsbury Group, 2005, p. 80

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Chairs
• Mirrors and reflections
• On display at the Gallery