Gilbert Spencer

The Life and Work of a Very English Artist

Paul Gough, Sacha Llewellyn, Amanda Bradley Petitgas

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English

Yale University
01 July 2024

Art & Architecture

The first biography of Gilbert Spencer, recounting the life and career of a long-overlooked twentieth-century British artist

Gilbert Spencer (1892–1979) was a British painter, muralist, illustrator, teacher, and writer whose career spanned more than six decades. Recognised during his lifetime as one of the leading artists of his generation, his reputation has long been overshadowed by his more famous brother, Stanley. Yet Spencer's fascination with landscape and his ability to capture everyday life in rural England led to the creation of some of the most poignant artworks of the interwar period.

Drawing on a newly discovered archive of personal letters, notebooks, and diaries, this illustrated biography tells Spencer's story for the first time. Bringing together his major paintings, drawings and illustrations, many never before seen, the book greatly expands our understanding of Spencer. It reassesses his status within twentieth-century British modernism and the revival of the landscape tradition, as well as the important role he played in the reinvigoration of public mural painting. Spencer is also reappraised as one of the most successful art teachers of his time, and his extensive influence on the lives and careers of many twentieth-century artists is explored in detail.

By: Paul Gough
Contributions by: Sacha Llewellyn, Amanda Bradley Petitgas
Imprint: Yale University
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9780300269819
ISBN 10: 0300269811
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 01 July 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Paul Gough is vice-chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth. Sacha Llewellyn is an independent writer and curator and director of Liss Llewellyn. Amanda Bradley Petitgas is trustee and chair of the exhibitions committee of the Stanley Spencer Gallery.

Reviews for Gilbert Spencer: The Life and Work of a Very English Artist

“Cast[s] new life on [Gilbert Spencer’s] life and achievements, and cement[s] his reputation as a significant artist in his own right.”—Colin Gleadell, Telegraph “In this masterly and well-illustrated biography, Gough captures all aspects of the life and work of one of the most individualistic English artists of the 20th century.” —Peyton Skipwith, Literary Review “His portraits are invigorating, as is this account of a likeable, midranking artist, ever willing to help those wanting information on his more celebrated brother, yet fretting about his own legacy” —Jack Watkins, Country Life