Aubrey Noakes

Charles Spencelayh was one of the most important Anglo artists of the 20th century, but this is the first true study of him and his work. Spencelayh's art was as English as Rockwell's was American. Patriotic but muted, much admired by the Royal Family and the stolid citizens of the United Kingdom.

He painted the common man at home. The Englishman in his castle. I always believe I hear some old British ditty singing in my head whenever I see one of his paintings. He's just intrinsically of the scepter'd isle, of cream tea, of knitted dollies...of stamina in the face of adversity.

His paintings are almost photographic, with his specialty being detailed mirrors and paintings within paintings surrounding the model subject. When it's windy and the raindrops start to come down, I like to open this book and imagine myself in one of his prim, clean, middle-class homes in the London suburbs.

Book Season = Spring… (meer)