Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Beatitudes of Love from the 1930s from Stanley Spencer 1891-1959



Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Contemplation 1938


In his Beatitudes series, Spencer brings together countless aspects of life, including love, sexuality, religion, reality, and fantasy.  Of these paintings, Spencer wrote, "I love them from within outwards and whatever that outward appearance may be it is an exquisite reminder of what is loved within, no matter what that exterior appearance may be."  Spencer explained in the 1930s, "There are two joys, the joys of innocence and religiousness and the joys of change and sexual experience and while these two selves seem unrelated and irreconcilable, still I am convinced of their ultimate union."


Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Consciousness


Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Passion or Desire


Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Romantic Meeting


Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Worship


Stanley Spencer, (English painter, 1891 – 1959) Knowing