Laura Freeman Laura Freeman

Holy visions and dustbins

In his anniversary year, it’s time to see beyond the paintings of wisteria blossom to the angels and the dirt

issue 02 July 2016

Woolworth’s spectacles. Pudding-basin haircut, rather sparse. Norfolk jacket. Pyjama cuffs below trouser legs and sleeves. Paints and brushes in an old black perambulator. And a sign propped up on a gravestone: ‘As he is anxious to complete his painting of the churchyard Mr Stanley Spencer would be grateful if visitors would kindly avoid distracting his attention from the work.

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