The Lovers, 1934
Sir Stanley Spencer RA (1891-1959)
Oil on canvas
Laing Art Gallery
Purchased 1948
Stanley Spencer had a deep feeling for the everyday life of his home village of Cookham in Berkshire, and often saw it in terms of Bible events. The dustman in the centre of this picture is being joyfully reunited with his wife after the Last Judgement.
Spencer has included thrown-away cabbage leaves and a teapot as he felt that they were ‘reminders of home life and peace, and are worthy of being adored as the dustman is’. The interlocking pattern of people and things is characteristic of Spencer’s style.
The copyright of this picture is owned by the Laing Art Gallery. This is my photograph of a copyrighted work. This image should only be used for personal enjoyment.