Fry (second cousin of Roger Fry), "the Omega was really the most
important aspect of Bloomsbury," and the decorative arts more important than the paintings. Nigel Nicolson refers to "the central seven who
were the ringmasters" in a frightening circus. To some of the children
and grandchildren, like Anne Synge and Cressida Bell, cooks and
servants, in whose company they spent a lot of time, were central to the
Bloomsbury houses and to the children's views of their elders.
Finally, there is nostalgia for and defensiveness about Bloomsbury.
In Angelica Gamett's case, the nostalgia is for the conversation and the
nonmaterialistic values. Hugh Cecil fondly recaJls a period of history in
which "the advantaged side of society. . . . could cultivate their minds
and their friendships." Adam Nicolson refers to a time when "there was
more coherence between the worlds of art and diplomacy and politics
than there is now," a time when "maybe it was easier . . . for a group of
friends who might do various things to actually integrate with each
other." Yet the Group, misunderstood or understood only too well, was
attacked. Rylands charges Bloomsbviry's detractors with "envy and
hostility" and distortion. Quentin Bell thinks the press "did assess some
of the attitudes precisely. But there was great animosity and that was
partly prejudice against them, which we still suffer."
Should one spend $39.95 on this slender book? The photographs are
striking and to some people may be worth the price. As for the text, those
who have anything worth saying about Bloomsbury have all said it,
much better, elsewhere. The rest often reveaJ more about themselves
than about their predecessors. The juxtaposition of these many impressionistic remarks tells us something about the tensions in relationships among the generations, but it does not add much to our knowledge
of the Bloomsbury Group.
^.^^^ p GiUespie
Washington State University
Art Nouveau
Julia King. The Flowering of Art Nouveau Graphics. Salt Lake City:
Peregrine Smith, 1991. 144 pp. 150 illus. $29.95
BOOK REVIEWS
1992
252