Cheltenham: Exhibition brings Picasso painting to gallery

Mattei Radev, pictured, became associated with the artists' collective the Bloomsbury Group

The art collection of a man who fled Bulgaria in 1950 will be exhibited in Gloucestershire, including a Picasso.

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum in Cheltenham will show the art collection of the late Mattei Radev, which tells the story of 20th Century art and modern love through 79 paintings.

His own story has also been reinterpreted by children's author Robert Tregoning for the exhibition.

Mr Radev fled Bulgaria in fear of persecution.

He settled in London, where he made friends who helped him find a career as a picture framer and he became associated with the artists' collective the Bloomsbury Group.

Lisa Edgar, head of culture at The Cheltenham Trust, which manages the museum, said: "The Wilson is excited to present a remarkable story of survival, love and kindness set against a backdrop of the British art world generating this extraordinary collection of 20th Century Art."

Eardly Knollys grew the collection and, in turn, left it to Mattei Radev in 1991

Cheltenham borough councillor Julian Tooke was friends with Mr Radev.

He had seen the pictures on the walls of his house in London and suggested Mr Radev's collection was shown at The Wilson.

'Remarkable life'

He said: "I was introduced to Mattei in 1990. He became my friend.

"I am delighted that 34 years later I have helped in bringing his art collection to Cheltenham. It's a celebration of his remarkable life."

The exhibition tells the story of 20th Century art and modern love through 79 paintings

What is now known as The Radev Collection was handed down through friends, started by writer Eddy Sackville-West.

On his death in 1965, it was left to his friend and former lover, the art dealer Eardley Knollys. Mr Knollys grew the collection and, in turn, left it to Mr Radev in 1991.

Selected works from the collection were exhibited publicly in 2011 following Mr Radev's death, but this will be the largest exhibition in its history.

The exhibition is set to take place from 8 March until 1 September.