The Whispers, 2019

£300

Giclée print onto Hahnemühle photo rag 308gsm paper

62cm x 47cm (paper)

52cm x 37cm (image)

Edition of 50

A signed Certificate of Authenticity will be included.

To continue to celebrate Bartholomew’s rich body of work, this August we are releasing a limited edition of just 50 prints of The Whispers. All profits from the sale of this atmospheric and colourful piece, with literary roots, are in aid of Brain Research UK.

This painting was one of the last Bartholomew completed in December 2019, a few weeks before he died.

He was revisiting T.S. Eliot's complex, reflective poem 'Gerontion' which inspired Barley's 2010 work 'Dull Head Among Windy Spaces', and a 2013 painting 'I Have No Ghosts' which depicts an isolated, elderly figure perched on a chair, arms and legs crossed. An antiquated lampshade swings above, illuminating his head and it is echoed by a number of smaller ones receding into the dark.

'Gerontion' depicts the 'thousand small deliberations' of a frail old man, facing the prospect of death, as he struggles to find meaning in his experiences and define his place in the universe.

The bearded figure in The Whispers strikes a much more relaxed pose than that in ‘I Have No Ghosts’. The colourful lampshades swinging a little crazily above him are not threatening at all and, although melancholy, the man fingers a turquoise necklace, a symbol of love.

Bartholomew's fascination with aged characters stands in ironic contrast to both his positive, joyous attitude and his tragically short life. 

Application process

  1. A form will appear on this page at 8:00pm (BST) on Sunday 23rd August 2026, once completed you will be added to a list of interested buyers, and prints will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Once all prints are allocated the form will no longer be active. We will notify you via email within 3 days to confirm whether or not you have been successful.

  2. If successful, you will make your donation to Brain Research UK within 7 days of notification. Further details of how to make your donation to Brain Research UK as well as delivery information will be provided to all successful buyers. If you are more comfortable paying in instalments then please email prints@barleybeal.com.

  3. Please only complete one form per household. Prints will be limited to one per household.

  4. Your donation of £300 includes free postage to the UK and Ireland. Delivery to addresses outside of this area will be at the buyer's expense.

  5. Please email prints@barleybeal.com with any further queries.