Stanley Spencer's relationship with Patricia Preece began in 1932 and quickly became an obsession. She began modelling for him in 1933 (the date of this work) - four years later they married but they never lived together.
Samuel Palmer's 'The Rising of the Lark,' (c1839) was inspired by lines from L’Allegro (1645) by the poet John Milton. ‘To hear the lark begin his flight; And, singing, startle the dull night, From his watch-tower in the skies,Till the dappled dawn doth rise.'
Robert Buhler's portrait is of his friend and fellow artist John Minton. Painted in 1949 it is a fine, sincere piece of work and perfectly captures Minton's melancholy side.
Of all the places visited by David Bomberg, Spain quickly became the country he adored. In 1934 he visited the remote and ancient town of Cuenca. He and his future wife Lilian lived in a dilapidated house overlooking the Jucar Valley where this dramatic work was painted.