Important Collections of Spencer's Paintings The Sandham Memorial Chapel.
Probably the most significant site for lovers of Spencer's work is the Sandham Memorial chapel at Burghclere, just south of Newbury in Hampshire. This is the chapel that Spencer decorated for the Behrends as a memorial to Mary Behrend's brother Hal. He based the design on Giotto's Scrovegni chapel in Padua, though on a smaller scale. When he received the commission he is reported to have said "What ho! Giotto!" In my opinion it is one of the most significant art sites in England A description is quite inadequate when attempting to convey how wonderful the decoration is. If you can get there a visit is an absolute must, even if you are visiting from abroad. For details of how to get there and opening times etc., go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk and look up the alphabetical index of properties, it listed under Sandham.
The Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham.
This is a small gallery solely dedicated to Stanley's work. It has a small collection, mostly on loan. Among these are the large, unfinished "Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta" and the "scrapbook drawings". They also have a good selection of books etc. which may be consulted, these include the correspondence between Stanley and Desmond Chute, an early friend. Also available are prints and postcards, the prints are especially recommended as they are normally very difficult to find. The best thing about the gallery though is the fact that you may well find that the person behind the desk knew Stanley. This is a great way to gain a direct insight into his character, don't expect it to necessarily be flattering though!
For details of their opening hours go to their Website at www.stanleyspencer.org
Tate Modern & Tate Britain
There are currently no works by Spencer on view at Tate Modern. However Tate Britain usually has at least one of his works on view
Details of all the Tate Galleries (there are four) can be found at www.tate.org.uk
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Although it doesn't have a large collection of Spencer's paintings those it does have are important works. Both "Love on the Moor" and "Love among the Nations" are normally on show, along with a self-portrait. The rest of the museum is well worth investigating particularly the wonderful "Annunciation" by Domenico Veneziano.
The museum can be found at www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/
The Imperial War Museum, London.
Stanley's series of paintings of Lithgow's shipyard, Port Glasgow is owned by the Imperial War Museum. Unfortunately they are not on display as they are in need of restoration. However I would expect them to allow those researching the subject access. You can contact them on http://www.iwm.org.uk/. The shipbuilding paintings themselves are wonderful and well worth seeking out. There is also a large collection of art by other war artists.
There are examples of Spencer's work in most of the provincial galleries in Britain, though they usually only have one or two. In America there are single works by Spencer in the collections in Chicago, New York and at Yale. In the Southern Hemisphere The Art gallery of Western Australia, Perth, owns the wonderful "Christ in the Wilderness" series`. There are also works in the collections in Adelaide, Springfield, South Australia and in Sydney. Does anyone know why there are so many Spencer's in Australia?
Art Guide
For a detailed guide to where to find Spencer's work try www.artguide.org/uk and look him up under the alphabetical guide to artists. This is a wonderful site that provides almost all the information you need to find paintings by the artists you're interested in. It's very highly recommended.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS PAGE WAS CORRECT IN NOVEMBER 2001. THINGS CAN, AND DO, CHANGE. CHECK WITH THE GALLERY BEFORE MAKING A LONG JOURNEY.
A Stanley Spencer Bibliography
