Details for 'The Two Roberts' by Damian Barr
The Two Roberts
This is the story of two artists, both called Robert, who met in Scotland in the 1930s.
It has been widely acclaimed and is nominated in this year's Nero Book Awards. It's beautifully and sensitively written, based on fact.
The author is known for his literary salon events, a podcast and presenting about books on Scottish TV. This is his fourth book.
It's Scotland in 1933 and Bobby McBride and Robert Colquhoun meet at Glasgow School of Art. They immediately strike up a strong friendship, bonding through their artistic endeavours but then also finding in each other a lasting love, which they must keep hidden.
Their artistic innovation, commitment and talent attracts a lot of attention and they win a grant to travel to Europe, and party with the great and the good, including Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud.
But it is a precarious existence, not just because of their relationship, still forbidden in society, but also financially as their work doesn't remain in favour.
This book is likely to bring about a resurgence of interest into the lives and work of The Two Roberts. It's an affectionately drawn portrait which is a delight to read and savour. I loved it and will certainly be looking out for exhibitions of their work - Charleston in Lewes, Sussex, will be showing paintings until April 2026.