Duncan Grant – Private

In 1989, The Gay Men’s Press curated a significant collection of Duncan Grant’s homoerotic artwork, titled “Private.” This compilation showcased Grant’s extensive and explicit homoerotic pieces, accompanied by a comprehensive introduction by writer and film producer Douglas Blair Turnbaugh. As a follow-up in October 2020, a remarkable discovery surfaced—an extensive collection of over four hundred erotic drawings by Duncan Grant, previously believed to be destroyed. Passed down secretly from friend to friend and lover to lover, these drawings were initially given to Edward le Bas in May 1959. Initially thought to be lost, it was revealed that le Bas had entrusted them to Eardley Knollys, a gay gallery owner, who then bequeathed them to Mattei Radev. Radev, a Bloomsbury figure with ties to E.M. Forster, later passed the collection to his partner, theatre designer Norman Coates, who stored them for years under his bed. Rather than selling the rediscovered collection, Coates generously offered it to The Charleston Trust. He emphasized the importance of keeping the body of work together, highlighting its narrative of love—especially during a time when such love was deemed illegal. The drawings, originally created in secret, now provide a unique perspective on a once-forbidden love, offering a glimpse into the intimate expressions of Duncan Grant’s artistry. Private Duncan Grant 1885–1978