Study for Firebelt, a Head, three studies of bathing, and the chapel interior (recto) and Sketches for Firebelt, a predella scene showing bathing, auxiliary sketches for bath scenes, a squared arch, and a detail of landscape within a spandrel (verso)
Sir Stanley Spencer, RA (1891 - 1959)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
circa 1923
Materials
Pencil on paper
Measurements
350 x 250 mm (13 3/4 x 9 7/8 in)
Place of origin
Burghclere
Order this imageCollection
Sandham Memorial Chapel, Hampshire
NT 719809
Summary
Pencil on paper, partly squared, Study for Firebelt, a Head, three studies of bathing, and the chapel interior (recto); Sketches for ‘Firebelt’, a predella scene showing bathing, auxiliary sketches for bath scenes, a squared arch, and a detail of landscape within a spandrel (verso) by Sir Stanley Spencer, CBE, RA (Cookham 1891– Cliveden 1959), circa 1923. The sketch for Firebelt is close to the right-hand side of the final version, although this sketch has a greater, monumental force, surging upwards towards the peak of the tent. The strength of the pencil is reminiscent of Voleterrano’s schizzi, but with considerably more rigidity. Spencer has also played with the positioning of the timber pole. The head is not immediately recognisable in any of the canvases, but it could have formed the basis for the seated soldier to the left of Filling Water Bottles, whose rounded face and open mouth resonate with the features here. On the recto, the predella scene shown here was not realised in the final sequence; baths were only shown in 'Washing Lockers' on the South wall, with lockers, rather than human figures being washed.The heavier of the subsidiary bathing sketches, showing a figure having his leg scrubbed, his arms outstretched, manages to convey the relaxation and abandon of the scene with remarkable simplicity. The bath scenes are tentatively and faintly sketched; one figure is shown holding a loofah, the other being checked for nits.
Provenance
Possibly given to the National Trust by John Louis (1881-1972) and Mary Behrend (1884 -1977), or given by George Behrend (1922 - 2010)
Credit line
The Behrend Collection, The Vyne (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Sir Stanley Spencer, RA (1891 - 1959), publisher
Exhibition history
Stanley Spencer: Heaven in a Hell of War, Manchester Art Gallery, 2013 - 2015, no.ADD L4 Stanley Spencer: Heaven in a Hell of War, Somerset House, London, 2013 - 2015, no.ADD L4 Stanley Spencer: Heaven in a Hell of War, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, 2013 - 2015, no.ADD L4