Designs for Sandham Memorial Chapel among lots up for sale in Newbury at Stanley Spencer auction

Stanley Spencer’s designs for Sandham Memorial Chapel are among lots coming up for auction in Newbury next week.

The sale at Dreweatts - Kindred Spirits: The Artistic World of Sir Stanley Spencer - takes place on Thursday (July 10).

Coming directly from the Spencer family archives, includes items previously unpublished and unseen, offering insight into the life of one of Britain’s most important 20th-century painters.

Stanley Spencer was born and buried in Cookham. Famously inspired by its parish life, he once described the village as “a village in Heaven” .The upcoming auction includes depictions of his beloved hometown, treasured family objects, letters, early sketchbooks, and personal artefacts – including the Bible he took with him as an army medic to the Salonika front during the First World War.

The sale also features designs for the Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere (Lots 95, 96 and 97). Completed in 1932, this chapel’s remarkable frescoes represent Spencer’s profound response to the Great War, inspired by Giotto’s frescoes in Padua. This local landmark remains one of his most celebrated achievements.

Following the passing of Spencer’s two daughters, his grandson John Spencer – the last direct descendant of the family – has decided to share the family's story. Letting go of such personal items was deeply emotional for him, and this will likely be one of the final chances to acquire works directly from the Spencers . The sale reveals Stanley Spencer’s deep connection to the place that provided much artistic inspiration and one he called home.

The sale also celebrates the creative talents of those closest to him, including works by Stanley Spencer’s brother Gilbert, his wife Hilda Carline, and her father George Carline.

It is a fascinating story of artistic legacy, faith and spirituality and family bonds, told through personal objects rarely seen outside the family.

Will Porter, co-head of Modern and Contemporary Art at Dreweatts said: “It has been an honour to work with Stanley’s grandson, John Spencer, in bringing this very personal collection to auction. Stanley’s two daughters, Unity and Shirin, treasured these pieces, particularly the paintings by their mother, Hilda Carline, who was a very accomplished artist in her own right. Many of these works have never been seen before and this is the last opportunity to own something very personal from the family’s own collection.”