Description
Ansell, Robert
Fulgur Limited, London, 2012. Hardcover. First Edition. Limited Edition, limited to 700 copies only. Fine in fine dust-jacket.
During the course of his creative life, Spare produced more than two thousand drawings, watercolors and pastels. His exhibitions ranged from the fashionable West End of Edwardian London, to the earthy taverns of post-War Southwark. This volume gathers together his very rare exhibition catalogues: from his first show at the Bruton Galleries in 1907, to his last at the Archer Gallery in 1955. These facsimiles present a wealth of scarce information, including: I. Commentaries by Austin Spare. II. Essays from Kenneth Grant, Dennis Bardens, Grace E. Rogers, John Smith, Oswell Blakeston, G.S. Sandilands and others. III. Lists of pictures exhibited, each with a catalogue number, often with prices. IV. The dates and locations for his shows. These exhibition catalogues are illustrated with 80 pages of color plates, carefully selected to represent the evolution of Spare’s work between 1902-1956, and the various styles he moved through during this period. The original catalogues are also augmented with an introduction by Robert Ansell, and several useful appendices, including: 1. Signatures and Monograms of the artist, 1902-1956. 2. Notes on Framing by Austin O. Spare (1947). 3. Inventory of Pictures remaining at 5 Wynne Road, 1956. 4. Decorated Objects. 5. Exhibition invitation cards. 6. The Guinea exhibition (1932). With a comprehensive index, listing alphabetically more than 2000 picture titles of Spare’s work 1907-1955.
