Christ Delivered to the People
About this artwork
The year 1950 was a difficult one for Spencer. Seeking reconciliation with his first wife, Hilda, he had taken out divorce proceedings against his second wife, Patricia Preece. Preece contested the divorce and, tragically, Hilda died later that year. In the bottom right, the cruel-faced woman with outstretched, grasping hand is probably Preece. Pontius Pilate can be seen sitting on the steps to the left, washing his hands, while Christ is led away. At the top of the scene, the disciples have turned their backs on Christ and scuttle off in a group.
Updated before 2020
-
artist:Stanley SpencerEnglish (1891 - 1959)
-
title:Christ Delivered to the People
-
date created:1950
-
materials:Oil on canvas
-
measurements:68.80 x 149.00 cm; Framed: 84.10 x 163.40 x 9.40 cm
-
object type:
-
credit line:Purchased 1983
-
accession number:GMA 2759
-
gallery:
-
depicted:
-
subject:
-
artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Stanley Spencer
Stanley Spencer
Spencer was born at Cookham in Berkshire. From 1908 to 1912 he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where contemporaries included Paul Nash and Ben Nicholson. While still at the Slade Spencer began his celebrated series of biblical scenes re-enacted in the streets of Cookham. From...