Janpeter Muillwijk, Adam Swims, wool, cotton and silk with hand embroidery and lining on linen, c150 x 220cm, James Freeman Gallery, London

SOME 90 years ago Virginia Woolf was complaining in her letters and diary entries about having to sit for Vanessa Bell, apparently hating being so closely scrutinised, even by her sister.

But the rare work, with the writer pictured in her Tavistock Square apartment, is an intimate gem of a portrait that can be seen at the London Art Fair which kicked off on Tuesday at Islington’s Business Design Centre and runs until Sunday.

It’s a central feature from the 2024 show’s museum partner, Charleston, “the unique and inspiring centre of Bloomsbury art and culture”, which runs events, exhibitions and festivals both at the house of the artists Bell and Duncan Grant in Firle East Sussex and a new space in central Lewes.

Ortaire de Coupigny, Untitled, detail, Ronen Art Gallery, Amsterdam

At LAF, now a traditional starting point of the year for modern and contemporary galleries, the museum is unveiling the first works donated to Charleston and heralding its search for 50 of the most significant Bloomsbury group works still in private hands, with the aim of building an even more comprehensive collection.

The 2024 LAF features more than 120 leading galleries and offers an exciting programme of events and talks (see www.london artfair.co.uk @londonartfair for full details).

The works come in all shapes and sizes and, it must be said, prices; arguably from the modest and excellent value to the ridiculous.

Yet that means there should be something to meet any visitor’s taste.

Whether an Auerbach, Bratby, or Craxton, whether drawing, print, watercolour, acrylic, oil, or more, expect the unexpected.

A curated “Encounters” section explores the idea of a meeting that will, perhaps, lead to the discovery of an unknown artist or a surprising style or subject from one already familiar.

Sean Henry, Untitled (John), 2023, bronze and oil paint, 36 x 22.5 x 45cm, Osborne Samuel, London

With an international scope, galleries here include those from Turkey, France, Lithuania, Italy, and more.

From Portugal there are striking ceramics from João Donato (b 1953 Mozambique).

And elsewhere Normandy-born Ortaire de Coupigny marries “the commercial and the artisan” with his charming painted fish in cans. And, yes, he lives near the sea!

An additional section, “Platform 2024”, brings together art that “shines a light on Queer love and life” selected by guest curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley.

LAF fair director Sally Bent includes in her top picks a Duncan Grant still life, Ivon Hitchens’s August Painting from 1973, and an ongoing project from Nooka Shepherd, showing with Soho Revue in Platform, titled Tarot Under the Hill.

João Donato, Untitled (Unprecedented Birds Series), ceramic, 22 x 26cm, Perve Galeria, Lisbon

But the variety is endless here, from Buddha and Minotaur to bear and wolf. And the occasional crucifixion.

Take your pick.

There’s also the chance to learn more about the charity Outside In, which aims to “provide a platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world” with support, new opportunities, exhibitions, and residencies (www.outsidein.co.uk). And its founder and director Marc Steene, a former head of Pallant House Gallery has a new book out, Outside In, Exploring the margins of art.

• LAF runs until January 21 at the Business Design Centre, N1 0QH.