The making of the Mottisfont Angel: The Artistic Legacy of Boris Anrep

Boris Anrep (1883 – 1969) is well known for his work in mosaics which decorate the National Gallery, the Bank of England and Westminster Cathedral. Two of his mosaics are also displayed at Mottisfont Abbey, the home of his patron and partner, Maud Russell.

Born in Russia, Anrep trained as an artist in France before coming over to Britain where he became a friend and associate of many members of the Bloomsbury Group. In Russia he also well-known as a poet, especially for poems addressed to fellow poet, Anna Akhmatova.

He met Maud Russell, the owner of Mottisfont Abbey in the 1930s and after the death of her husband Gilbert, they became romantic partners. Maud would go on to become his major patron, paying for the completion of his work at the National Gallery, and he in turn created portraits of her, including the Angel of Mottisfont which is still on display at the property.

On his death in 1969, Maud buried his ashes in Mottisfont’s garden before looking to establish his artistic legacy by gifting many of his sketches for mosaics and his correspondence to the Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Gallery.

The exhibition will look to investigate this artistic legacy, tracing some of Anrep’s earliest works and relationships in Britain to his eventual relationship with Maud Russell.