The Sandham Memorial Chapel Murals: A High Point in Stanley Spencer’s Artistic Journey and Singular Response to the First World War

Yseult O’Driscoll
Trinity College Dublin
Department of History of Art and Architecture
2018
BA

Subject: Painting
Country: England and Europe
Period: 20th Century

10,000 words

This dissertation discusses the work of Stanley Spencer, in particular his mural cycle at the Sandham Memorial Chapel at Burghclere in Berkshire. Firstly, it suggests that the murals demonstrate Spencer’s response to the artistic debate that had grown up in Britain between modernist an traditionalist schools while he was a student at the Slade and afterwards. Secondly, it seeks to show how singular the murals are in comparison with other artistic responses in Britain to the First World War. The dissertation examines Spencer’s background and formal training, identifies aspects of these that were of importance for him artistically and demonstrates how these early influences are in turn reflected in the murals. The evolving art scene in Britain during the early twentieth century and Spencer’s place in it will also be considered.

Irish Georgian Society

Education Theses Register

The Sandham Memorial Chapel Murals: A High Point in Stanley Spencer’s Artistic Journey and Singular Response to the First World War