Charles Spencelayh
Charles Spencelayh (October 27, 1865 – June 25, 1958) was an English painter of the Academic style. Born in Rochester, Kent, he first studied at the National Art Training School, South Kensington [1]. He exhibited at the Paris Salon, but most of his exhibits were in Britain. Between 1892 and 1958, he exhibited more than 30 paintings at the Royal Academy, including ‘Why War’ (1939) [2], which won the Royal Academy ‘Picture of the Year’ for 1939. He was also a founder member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters. Many of his subjects were of domestic scenes, painted with an almost photographic detail, such as ‘The Laughing Parson’ (1935)[3]. and ‘His Daily Ration’ (1946)[4]. He also painted still life subjects including ‘Apples’ (1951). Spencelayh was a favourite of Queen Mary, who was an avid collector of his work. In 1924 he painted a miniature of King George V for Queen Mary’s dolls house.
References
- ^ Now the Royal College of Art
- ^ Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston, Lancashire
- ^ The Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, Lancashire
- ^ Nottingham City Museums & Art Galleries
Further reading
- Aubrey Noakes ‘Spencelayh’, Chaucer Press, 2005 ISBN 978-1-904449-49-2