The Stanley Spencer Gallery

The Kings Hall, High Street, Cookham, Berkshire SL6 9SJ

Tel: 01628-471885

e-mail: info@stanleyspencer.org.uk

website: www.stanleyspencer.org.uk

The Stanley Spencer Gallery is unique as the only gallery in Britain devoted exclusively to an artist in the village where he was born and spent much of his life. To Spencer (1891-1959), Cookham and its surrounding area was the scene of heavenly visitations. Set in the heart of the village he immortalised, the gallery occupies the former Victorian Methodist Chapel where Spencer was taken to worship as a child. It contains a permanent collection of his work, together with letters, documents, memorabilia, and the pram in which Spencer wheeled his equipment when painting landscapes. It also displays important works on long-term loan, and mounts a winter and summer exhibition each year. Over a thousand works have been shown since the gallery opened in 1962.

Fern Lea the artist's birthplace is in Cookham High Street. The village remained a source of inspiration throughout his life and formed the setting for numerous biblical and figure paintings, as well as landscapes. The parish church, the High Street, Cookham Moor and the river are all recognisable from his pictures. Documents include the Chute Letters, written by Spencer to Desmond Chute during the First World War.