The Visitors' Book
In Francis Bacon's Shadow: The Lives of Richard Chopping and Denis Wirth-Miller
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Published:5th Oct '17
Should be back in stock very soon
This book reveals the intertwining lives of two significant figures in post-war British art, offering a fresh perspective on the era's artistic landscape.
With an extraordinary supporting cast including Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon, The Visitors' Book uncovers the untold story of two remarkable figures in post-war British art. Denis Wirth-Miller and Dicky Chopping were not just a couple; they were central to the mid-twentieth century art scene. Their shared Essex townhouse, serving as a hub from 1945 until 2008, hosted an impressive array of visitors, as evidenced by the names recorded in their visitors' book. This remarkable list includes notable figures such as Randolph Churchill and John Minton, highlighting the couple's connection to the broader artistic community.
The narrative takes a poignant turn following Denis's passing in 2010, when Jon Lys-Turner, one of the executors of their estate, discovered a treasure trove of letters, artworks, and memorabilia collected over decades. This archive not only sheds light on the couple's lives but also serves as a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding British art history. The wealth of new biographical information revealed about artists like Francis Bacon is staggering, making The Visitors' Book an essential read for art enthusiasts and historians alike.
Beyond the personal stories, The Visitors' Book offers a profound look into the experiences of gay individuals in pre-Wolfenden Britain. It serves as both a social history of the era and a unique perspective on the artistic movements of the time. With previously unseen material, this book invites readers to explore the rich tapestry of post-war Britain through the lens of two extraordinary lives.
An absolute goldmine for Bacon biographers ... But it would be unfair if The Visitors' Book was read only as a footnote to Bacon ... it is full of memorable vignettes, delicious anecdotes and many moving letters from Chopping to Wirth-Miller and vice versa ... haunting biography -- Lynn Barber * Sunday Times *
Perceptive ... an excellent social history of gay life in the 20th century ... a lively commentary on modern British art and culture ... entertaining yarns -- Andrew Lycett * The Spectator *
This handsome book is a stimulating and absorbing description of intertwined bohemian and artists' lives but also an important slice of social and cultural history from original sources. It not only describes the ferment of post-war Britain and the collapsing norms of class and convention, but also offers an example for all of us of a few brave souls doggedly pursuing their artistic vocations and world views against all the odds -- Eamon Delaney * independent.ie *
This panoramic portrait ... is immensely entertaining ... the disputed works in the plate section are the best Bacons I have seen -- Roger Lewis * The Times *
Anecdotes abound in this highly entertaining memoir * Sunday Times *
An excellent read ... an essential reference source for Bacon researchers ... The Visitors' Book is a fascinating and informative study of two unjustly overlooked figures in the British post-war art scene -- Alexander Adams * Jackdaw *
A moving study of hero worship ... as entertaining as it is poignant -- Michael Peppiatt * The Guardian *
This lively, gossipy, indiscreet book brings the couple vividly to life, showing us their loving and destructive relationship in all its complexity. It sheds light on Bacon's professional and private life, and is essential reading for Bacon fans and scholars * Art Newspaper *
A worthy memorial to this troubled pair * The Week *
A compelling account of Fifties artistic bohemia from the fringes -- Sebastian Shakespeare * Tatler *
Jon Lys Turner's marvellous book was obliged to carry its explanatory subtitle . . . but this is to diminish its scope and achievement . . . astounding vignettes of Bacon . . . The author tells his outrageous tales in a deadpan manner and has a knack for the concise character sketch . . . an alternative cultural history of the British scene -- James Norton * Burlington Magazine *
ISBN: 9781472121677
Dimensions: 196mm x 126mm x 34mm
Weight: 326g
400 pages