Inspired by an iconic Virginia Woolf portrait

Our inspiration for this new artwork comes from the iconic portrait of Virginia Woolf photographed by G.C.Beresford in 1902. Virginia Stephens as she was then, was only 20 years old and not yet married to Leonard Woolf. She was accompanied at the sitting by both her father Sir Leslie Stephens and her sister Vanessa. They both also had their portraits taken by Beresford, who had recently set up his studio in Knightsbridge, London.

What’s most striking about these beautiful early photographs is Virginia’s familiar aquiline profile and deep thoughtful eyes. The platinotype method employed by Beresford creates a photographic print which has an atmosphere all of its own. These prints are warm and romantic, with soft reddish-brown tones. In our Virginia Woolf portrait print we have endeavored to keep that sense of romance, combining soft loose marks with sharper sepia-brown lines.

Virginia Woolf — portrait reluctant

Later in life Virginia Woolf was actually not a keen portrait-sitter at all. But in a world so connected into artistic circles it was inevitable she would become the subject anyway. Many later portraits exist both as photographs and paintings.  Virginia’s sister the artist Vanessa Bell painted perhaps the most at-ease images of her. Many photographers, including the famous Man Ray, made portraits throughout her life — sometimes to her own irritation. In a letter of 1939, Virginia complained angrily about photographs by Gisèle Freund being exhibited.

“I am in a rage. That devil woman Gisele Freund calmly tells me she’s showing those d—d photographs—and I made it a condition she shouldn’t. Don’t you think it damnable?—considering how they filched and pilfered and gate crashed—the treacherous vermin. Do give her a piece of your mind if you see her. I loathe being hoisted about on top of a stick for any one to stare at.” – From a letter to Vita Sackville-West, August, 1939

How to get and use your free Virginia Woolf printable art print

You can download our high-resolution Virginia Woolf Portrait Print in an easily printable PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format from the page linked at the end this article. We have two versions included, one for standard Letter Size paper (8.5inch by 11inch) and one for A4 Size (210mm by 297mm).

You can print out this lovely artwork straight away using any good inkjet or laser printer, then simply frame it and treasure it! If you are intending to display the portrait we would suggest choosing photo-quality matte paper and printing using your printer’s highest quality setting. An alternative is to take it to your local print shop and have it printed out for you there. You can open and print the files from your computer using Adobe Acrobat ® Reader. If you don’t already have it, Acrobat Reader is available to download free from here.

Introducing Doodle Read’s Virginia Woolf Edition

Read the Virginia Woolf episodes and get doodling in
The new ‘Read + Doodle’ Paperback Book

Virginia Woolf’s intriguing short story ‘The Mark On The Wall’ is one of four inspiring short stories included in our handsome new paperback book. Our ‘Read + Doodle Book 1’ contains 20 days of classic short reads and fun daily drawing & coloring ideas. You can order copies direct from Amazon now, with next day delivery in many locations.

Now available on Amazon Or see the book page for more details.

Get your FREE Virginia Woolf Portrait Print

Click either button below to download this free Virginia Woolf printable.
Choose your printer’s paper size for best results.

FREE VIRGINIA WOOLF PRINTABLE (Letter Size)
 
FREE VIRGINIA WOOLF PRINTABLE (A4 Size)

‘The Mark On The Wall’ was one of two short stories in ‘Two Stories’, a modest book that launched the famous Hogarth Press. Virginia and husband Leonard published the edition from their Richmond home in 1917. Leonard Woolf’s contribution was ‘Three Jews’, and together they typeset, hand printed, stitched and bound 150 copies of this little gem.

A homemade edition

In a fascinating video introduction to the first edition that he has shared on YouTube, Pom Harrington (of Peter Harrington Rare Books) tells us how Virginia and Leonard bought wallpaper from a local shop to make the covers for their first home-printed book. You can view his enjoyable video here (you’ll find you soon pass by the little mix up at the start).

The Woolfs had been toying with the idea of self publishing for some time. They approached the St. Bride School of Printing in London about the possibility of joining a course. The school was unable to help them, it was for apprentices only. Undeterred they decided to buy a small hand press and teach themselves, guided by only a brief instruction booklet. The press was set up in their dining room and slowly the ‘Publication No 1’ began to take shape. It was difficult work; they only had enough type to set two pages at a time. To make it even more challenging they included four woodcut illustrations by their friend and artist Dora Carrington. ‘Two Stories’ was a success, and so the Hogarth Press was born.

‘The Mark On The Wall’ by Virginia Woolf is now available as a Pocket Doodle Read edition, the daily read & doodle that fits in your pocket. Each edition contains 5 daily episodes from an inspiring short story for a quick once-a-day read – then, pen ready, open it out to reveal a fun and inspiring themed doodling sheet where you can explore your own creative reaction. Read more