"Sadly, by now in his early forties, he was feeling dissatisfied and restless in his marriage and, as a celebrity, was receiving attention from other women."
- If one wishes for a perfect example of your sensitivity as a biographer, we could look far and long before finding a better one than this sentence.
Thank you for your concise biography of Spencer, and the paintings are tantalizing and I'll be seeking out more. I'd like to second the words of Laura McNeal.
The many fascinating artists' lives which you introduce to us only fortifies the purpose and importance of your endeavors. You are mining an incredibly rich milieu and we are your grateful beneficiaries.
I am absolutely blown away by your lovely comment, Mitch. Thank you so much. I love writing these biographies, and posting the paintings on Notes, and am so happy that you are reading and enjoying them. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
This was a great and thorough introduction to the life and work of this artist.
His paintings are unusual in that many of them take a view from the rear, which makes them more arresting. My favorite is the Travoy picture. It had such an unusual orientation.
I also loved seeing the two self-portraits at the beginning and end of your essay. He looks younger than 23 in 1914 and older than 68 in 1959, understandable given his illness.
Thank you, David. I really appreciate you reading and commenting. I’m so behind, but looking forward to reading your recent post tomorrow. I hope you're having a lovely weekend so far!
How absolutely tragic his romantic life was. I am particularly drawn to his landscape works from the '30's, from this piece it appears those were his saddest years, after losing his home and his first love over the same poor decision.
Your biographies, while brief, have no unneeded words and capture the the most important aspects of the artists. Along with the work you share via notes, you are providing such an education on art history! Thank you.
Fascinating character! Well written, captivating account of an artistic life and somewhat tortured soul. Thank you for your research and for sharing all these interesting stories.
Thank you Matthew. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Yes, tragedy seems to be a common denominator for many of the artists and writers I research. Loss of a parent/parents at a young age, particularly.
The Art Gallery of South Australia holds his painting, Hilda Welcomed, 1953. Now that I know his story, it makes sense. One of my favourites and now even more so thanks to your detailed biography. Thank you!!! Tanya
Thank you very much for your excellent, short biography of Stanley Spencer and selection of his paintings. His life seems to have been full of a variety of experiences - painting, soldiering, Christianity, commissions - many of which were represented in his unique style of painting.
I was sad to read about his divorce from Hilda and his very strange relationship with Patricia Pierce. It was good to hear that he eventually partially reestablished his relationship with Hilda.
Thank you for reading, Stewart. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the biography. Yes, his life, like his art, was varied and fascinating. Putting the collection together was very enjoyable! :)
I was so happy to read a deeper account of this artist than the salacious details that I have previously seen regarding Hilda, Preece and her paramour. Clearly there was much more to him and I found it very touching.
Is this an idealized portrait of himself? I think not. It grants himself the benefit of the doubt, flush with red cheeks and youthful lips. It makes me think of Thomas Randolph’s poem：
Well, that is a surprise. I do not know what I thought Spender might have looked like, but surely not like this. Granted, it is 1914, and 20 years on, when his painting assumed a very different fashioning, though the ideas were congruent in big ways, yet I always imagined him an old, heavyset, plodding-looking individual with a depth of character that belied his appearance.
Just a gorgeous story - heartbreaking at times, but as he said, he could see. What incredible moments here as well as beautiful portraits. Thank you for all this research, Victoria!
"Sadly, by now in his early forties, he was feeling dissatisfied and restless in his marriage and, as a celebrity, was receiving attention from other women."
- If one wishes for a perfect example of your sensitivity as a biographer, we could look far and long before finding a better one than this sentence.
Thank you for your concise biography of Spencer, and the paintings are tantalizing and I'll be seeking out more. I'd like to second the words of Laura McNeal.
The many fascinating artists' lives which you introduce to us only fortifies the purpose and importance of your endeavors. You are mining an incredibly rich milieu and we are your grateful beneficiaries.
I am absolutely blown away by your lovely comment, Mitch. Thank you so much. I love writing these biographies, and posting the paintings on Notes, and am so happy that you are reading and enjoying them. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
This was a great and thorough introduction to the life and work of this artist.
His paintings are unusual in that many of them take a view from the rear, which makes them more arresting. My favorite is the Travoy picture. It had such an unusual orientation.
I also loved seeing the two self-portraits at the beginning and end of your essay. He looks younger than 23 in 1914 and older than 68 in 1959, understandable given his illness.
Thank you, David. I really appreciate you reading and commenting. I’m so behind, but looking forward to reading your recent post tomorrow. I hope you're having a lovely weekend so far!
You often introduce to me an artist whose name I don't know, and whose work I love. Thank you.
Thank you, Laura. And for reading and commenting. Best of wishes, Victoria
How absolutely tragic his romantic life was. I am particularly drawn to his landscape works from the '30's, from this piece it appears those were his saddest years, after losing his home and his first love over the same poor decision.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Shire. Yes, a sad love story.
Your biographies, while brief, have no unneeded words and capture the the most important aspects of the artists. Along with the work you share via notes, you are providing such an education on art history! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jodi. I’m so pleased you’re enjoying them and truly appreciate your lovely feedback! :)
Fascinating character! Well written, captivating account of an artistic life and somewhat tortured soul. Thank you for your research and for sharing all these interesting stories.
Thank you so much. And thank you for commenting! I loved writing about him.
The research so thorough on Spencer's paintings and struggles. As usual, Victoria, remarkable, startling images and words.
Thank you so much, Mary. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend! 🧡
Really interesting overview of the artist's life and work. Thank you Victoria.
I often wonder if some sort of personal tragedy must exist for great art to be created. So many artists have tragic lives.
Thank you Matthew. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Yes, tragedy seems to be a common denominator for many of the artists and writers I research. Loss of a parent/parents at a young age, particularly.
The Art Gallery of South Australia holds his painting, Hilda Welcomed, 1953. Now that I know his story, it makes sense. One of my favourites and now even more so thanks to your detailed biography. Thank you!!! Tanya
Thank you, Tanya. Hilda Welcomed is a great portrait. How lovely to see it up close 🤎
Thank you very much for your excellent, short biography of Stanley Spencer and selection of his paintings. His life seems to have been full of a variety of experiences - painting, soldiering, Christianity, commissions - many of which were represented in his unique style of painting.
I was sad to read about his divorce from Hilda and his very strange relationship with Patricia Pierce. It was good to hear that he eventually partially reestablished his relationship with Hilda.
Thank you for reading, Stewart. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the biography. Yes, his life, like his art, was varied and fascinating. Putting the collection together was very enjoyable! :)
I was so happy to read a deeper account of this artist than the salacious details that I have previously seen regarding Hilda, Preece and her paramour. Clearly there was much more to him and I found it very touching.
Thank you, Anne. What a lovely comment, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to write about him 🤎
Is this an idealized portrait of himself? I think not. It grants himself the benefit of the doubt, flush with red cheeks and youthful lips. It makes me think of Thomas Randolph’s poem：
When age hath made me what I am not now,
And every wrinkle tells me where the plow
Of time hath furrowed; when an ice shall flow
Through every vein, and all my head wear snow;
When death displays his coldness in my cheek,
And I myself in my own picture seek,
Not finding what I am, but what I was,
In doubt which to believe, this or my glass:
Yet though I alter, this remains the same
As it was drawn, retains the primitive frame
And first complexion; here will still be seen
Blood on the cheek, and down upon the chin;
Here the smooth brow will stay, the lively eye,
The ruddy lip, and hair of youthful dye.
Behold what frailty we in man may see,
Whose shadow is less given to change than he!
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing, Richard. :)
Well, that is a surprise. I do not know what I thought Spender might have looked like, but surely not like this. Granted, it is 1914, and 20 years on, when his painting assumed a very different fashioning, though the ideas were congruent in big ways, yet I always imagined him an old, heavyset, plodding-looking individual with a depth of character that belied his appearance.
Thanks for reading, Richard. It is interesting how different people can be from our imagined view of them.
Much enjoyed this, Victoria.
Time we went back to Cookham. There’s no lovelier Thames side village.
Thank you. I’ve never visited. Maybe this year…
What a tremendous introduction to this artist. Thank you for a wonderful read.
Thank you, Olivia. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it! :)
Just a gorgeous story - heartbreaking at times, but as he said, he could see. What incredible moments here as well as beautiful portraits. Thank you for all this research, Victoria!
Thank you, Kate! :)