Stanley Spencer: A Complete Catalogue of the Paintings [Hardcover]

Keith Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0714827355 | ISBN-13: 978-0714827353

Stanley Spencer (1891 -- 1959) is one of the outstanding painters of the twentieth century. Highly controversial and single-minded in the pursuit of his personal vision, he often suffered neglect and hostility, and he has tended to be seen as an eccentric visionary. However, his contribution to British art and his true stature as an artist are now internationally recognized. Keith Bell's comprehensive catalogue raisonne of Spencer's work was recognized as a major contribution to Spencer studies when it was published in 1992, and it remains the essential reference work; but for those who would rather enjoy the many superb illustrations and the illuminating narrative for their own sake (without the detailed catalogue which appears in the original), a second edition is now issued in paperback at a highly competitive price.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The reputation of English visionary artist Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) has waxed and waned over the decades. This catalogue raisonne of his paintings, which combines 474 plates (314 in color) and an absorbing critical-biographical profile, should revive interest in an individualistic painter who welded the influences of the Pre-Raphaelites, Giotto, the Mexican realists and Futurism into highly personal allegories of peace, love, alienation and redemption. Bell, a University of Saskatchewan art historian who curated a Spencer exhibit at London's Royal Academy, unravels Spencer's mystical approach to painting, which was deeply rooted in the Bible. He discusses Spencer's obsessive courtship of Bloomsbury Group artist Patricia Preece; their marriage unleashed a welter of sexual imagery in Spencer's canvases. Featured here are religious pictures, war scenes, bustling satires of modern life, precise landscapes full of mystery and intimate portraits of friends and lovers.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Stanley Spencer's reputation has grown rapidly in recent years, and his visionary contribution to British art and his true stature as an artist are now internationally recognised. This is an abridged version of the 1992 catalogue raisonne of Spencer's work compiled by the same author, reproducing many of the illustrations and some of the original narrative. The work is presented chronologically and divided between figurative and landscape. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714827355
• ISBN-13: 978-0714827353
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.4 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,362,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stanley Spencer, March 29, 2000

By 

Steven E. Sellars (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stanley Spencer (Paperback)

This is an excellent survey of the work of the English painter Stanley Spencer.It contains work from the early periods of his life that you rarely have an opportunity to see. There is a very in depth and critical veiw into the life of this great artist. The reproductions of the work are almost all in color and of high quality. This is a book that clearly shows that Spencer was that English artist who has been the inspiration of many English artist who followed him. The range of his work is truly exceptional from the religious to the nude studies and portraits of family. This is the Book that is a must to have if you are looking at figurative painting in the 20th century. It is expansive and completely beautiful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best of Stanley spencer, November 16, 2006

By 

Winston hough "klee fan" (Glenview, Il. United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stanley Spencer (Paperback)

I have read most of the books on Stanley Spencer. This book has the most plates and an in depth discussion of the work and life of Sir Stanley. Another book I would like is : the sketchbooks of Stanley Spencer. His drawings are not slick they are a bit crude and naive by art school standards He was a student of Tonks . Philip Evergood also studied with Tonks and his drawings are similar. They have a childlike naivete that I like.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get it while it is still available!, September 9, 2011

By 

JetsonJoe "jetsonjoe" (ottawa, ON,Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stanley Spencer (Paperback)

Well as a fan of Spencer...and his amazing landscapes, and his compositions, and figure studies (less enthused by his religious themed work), I cannot say anything bad.

The reproductions are excellent and fairly large. The text is well written and very interesting in parts (he was definitely an interesting artist).

If you like Spencer's style...I would recommend making the purchase now before it becomes unavailable. It will always be worth more later.

As a large oversized book...it is a hefty one to handle...but makes up for it for what is inside. One of my current favourites.