Winifred Gill: A Bloomsbury Pioneer

Collage watercolour work of a figure dancing; the bulk of the image is taken up with a large orange shawl that is swirling through the scene, as if dancing itself. 'Shawl Dance' is written in the bottom right corner in orange writing.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design - Shawl Dance,1914-16, graphite, watercolour and bodycolour on wove paper. The Bodleian, Oxford © Bodleian, Oxford

Discover an overlooked innovator of the Bloomsbury group, Winifred Gill.

This display spotlights the artist Winifred Gill (1891-1981), through works held in 91Ó°ÊÓ’s collection. Although a gifted artist and a central figure at Roger Fry’s avant-garde Omega Workshops, Gill’s contributions have since remained largely overlooked. She studied at the Slade before joining the Workshops as a designer, maker and, for a time, business manager.

On display are a number of Gill’s inventive toy designs for the Omega Workshops, as well as a remarkable still life painting made around this time that is deeply characteristic of the Bloomsbury style in its bold response to colour and form. Later prints show how Gill’s style developed in the 1920s while working as a teacher of arts and crafts in the pioneering Bristol and Manchester University Settlements. Printing materials offer a deeper understanding of her practice.

This display is included in the Permanent Collection or Permanent Collection + Exhibition ticket. 

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14 October 2026 - 20 January 2027

10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:15)

Courtauld Gallery  The Project Space 

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Highlights

Collage watercolour work of a figure dancing; the bulk of the image is taken up with a large orange shawl that is swirling through the scene, as if dancing itself. 'Shawl Dance' is written in the bottom right corner in orange writing.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design - Shawl Dance,1914-16, graphite, watercolour and bodycolour on wove paper. The Bodleian, Oxford © Bodleian, Oxford
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design - Shawl Dance,1914-16, graphite, watercolour and bodycolour on wove paper. The Bodleian, Oxford © Bodleian, Oxford
Drawing of a man in all blue clothing and shoes, standing on a blue pedestal, with a leg outstretched, expanding a fan of red paper between his outstretched hands.
Omega Workshops, attributed to Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design – Music, 1914-16, graphite, watercolour and opaque watercolour on wove paper. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Omega Workshops, attributed to Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design – Music, 1914-16, graphite, watercolour and opaque watercolour on wove paper. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Drawing of a woman in a blue dress in a dance posture, on a red pedestal, with plumes of red lines dancing between her outstretched fingertips.
Omega Workshops, attributed to Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design – Castanet Dance, 1914-16, graphite, watercolour and opaque watercolour on wove paper. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Omega Workshops, attributed to Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Toy design – Castanet Dance, 1914-16, graphite, watercolour and opaque watercolour on wove paper. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Linocut print of a living room, with a traditional armchair, rug, and brick fireplace taking up the majority of the image.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Miss Cashmore’s Office, around 1923-26, linocut hand-coloured with watercolour. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Miss Cashmore’s Office, around 1923-26, linocut hand-coloured with watercolour. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) © Bodleian, Oxford
Linocut of a vase of snowdrops positioned in a traditional earthenware jug with a large protruding handle.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Snowdrops, 1920s, linocut hand-coloured with watercolour. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trsut) © Bodleian, Oxford
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Snowdrops, 1920s, linocut hand-coloured with watercolour. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trsut) © Bodleian, Oxford
Oil painting of a dining rable spread, with a glass jar, silver box, and bowl filled with fruit among other objects.
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Still Life with Glass Jar and Silver Box, 1914, oil paint on cardboard. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trsut) © Bodleian, Oxford
Winifred Gill (1891-1981), Still Life with Glass Jar and Silver Box, 1914, oil paint on cardboard. Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trsut) © Bodleian, Oxford
A person standing in the LVMH Great Room, looking at artworks slightly out of direct shot.

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