A charming painting of monks in a monastery discussing the latest scandal and intrigue, painted in the fine detail that Charles Spencelayh is known for.
Period:Victorian 1837-1901
Artist:Charles Spencelayh
Canvas Dimensions
50.2 cms High (
19.75 inches)
66.0 cms Wide (
26 inches)
Frame Dimensions
71.1 cms High (
28 inches)
86.4 cms Wide (
34 inches)
8.3 cms Deep (
3.25 inches)
27 October 1865 - 25 June 1958. An English genre painter and portraitist in the academic style.
Spencelayh was born in Rochester in Kent and first studied at the National Art Training School, South Kensington. He showed his work at the Paris Salon but most of his exhibitions were in Britain. Between 1892 and 1958 he exhibited more than 30 paintings at the Royal Academy, including "Why War" (1939) which won the Royal Academy "Picture of the Year". He was also a founder member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, where he exhibited 129 miniatures between 1896 and 1954.
Many of his subjects were of domestic scenes, painted with an almost photographic detail, such as "The Laughing Parson" (1935) and "His Daily Ration" (1946). 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 the Queen's dolls house.
