The life of the painter and designer Duncan Grant spanned great changes in society and art, from Edwardian Britain to the 1970s, from Alma-Tadema to Gilbert and George. This authoritive biography combines an engrossing narrative with an invaluable assessment of Grant's individual achievement and his place within Bloomsbury and in the wider development of British art. 'Spalding's skill is to sketch out the intricate emotional web against the bright bold untouchable figure of the artist. . . Her achievement is to let that sense of a man living with his craft shine through on every page: the result is an exceptionally honest and warm portrait. ' Financial Times

Frances Spalding is an art historian, biographer and critic. Her acclaimed book,Roger Fry: Art and Life,was followed by a biography of Vanessa Bell, which led to an invitation ten years later to write on Duncan Grant. In between she wroteBritish Art since 1900, Stevie Smith: A Critical Biography and Dance Till the Stars Come Down: A Life of John Minton.She is currently editor ofCharleston Magazine.

The first ever biography of Duncan Grant - one of the best known names in the British art scene and the most charismatic member or the Bloomsbury set.