Menu
A comprehensive selection of books and articles on Stanley Spencer and related topics is available to be consulted on the premises during opening hours.
Archive material on open access includes reference files of press cuttings (1920s – present day), student theses and essays, written memories of Spencer, exhibition catalogues and copies and transcripts of letters written by Stanley Spencer (including the Spencer-Chute correspondence; a full set of letters written during the First World War from Stanley Spencer to his friend the artist and poet Desmond Chute the originals of which are in the Gallery archive).
Further archive material is available to view by appointment including sound recordings of those who knew Spencer and a comprehensive photograph archive. Click here for listings of the archive material held. Full indexes for each section are available on request or can be viewed on the archive shelves in the Gallery (see ‘Guide to Archives’ file).
Various items of memorabilia that were owned by Stanley Spencer are on permanent display in the Gallery. Of particular interest are the pram that the artist famously used to transport his painting equipment around the village and the delicate brushes he used for the fine detail in his later works.
The research papers of Spencer’s biographer Kenneth Pople (‘Stanley Spencer’ Collins 1991) are also available to view by appointment. They contain many items of correspondence generated during his research (click here for catalogue of Correspondence items) and other documents relating to Spencer acquired or written by the author (click here for catalogue of non correspondence items).
For any enquiries relating to the archive please contact Ann Danks on 01628 524302 or at archives@stanleyspencer.org.uk
Joining the Friends is a great way to learn more about Stanley Spencer’s life and work, and to meet like-minded people. Friends benefit from free admission to all the Gallery’s exhibitions, invitations to special events and more.