biography of Robert SPENCER (1879-1931)

Birth place: Harvard, NE

Death place: New Hope, PA (suicide)

Addresses: Point Pleasant, New Hope, Bucks County, PA

Profession: Landscape painter

Studied: NAD (1899-1901) with Francis C. Jones, G. Maynard, R. Blum; NY Sch. Des (1903-05); W.M. Chase; F.V. DuMond; R. Henri; D. Garber.

Exhibited: PAFA Ann., 1910-32 (medal, 1914 ); Corcoran Gal, biennials, 1910-30 (10 times); NAD, 1913 (prize), 1914 (gold), 1920 (prize), 1921 (prize), 1928 (gold); Phila AC, 1913 (prize), 1923 (prize), 1928 (gold); Boston AC, 1915 (medal); Pan-Pacific Expo, San Francisco, 1915 (gold); AIC, 1919 (medal); CI, 1920 (prize), 1926 (prize); SC, 1921 (prize); Wilmington SFA, 1921 (prize); Sesqui-Centenn. Expo, Phila., 1926 (gold).

Member: ANA, 1914; NA, 1920; SC; NAC; Century Assn.

Work: MMA; Boston AC; Detroit IA; AIC; National AC; CGA; Pittsburgh Athletic Assn.; Brooks Memorial Art Gal., Memphis, TN; NAD; Union Lg. Club, Chicago; Phila. AC; CI; Brooklyn Mus.; Newark Mus. Assn.; Albright Art Gal., Buffalo; Soc. FA, Wilmington, DE; PMG

Comments: A New Hope (Bucks County) impressionist, he favored painting the local architecture in its settings, rather than the rural landscape. His depictions of the living and working conditions of local mill workers combine a social subject matter with the technical advances of the New Hope Impressionists. He traveled to France, Italy and Spain in 1925 and France again in 1927. In his later works he turned to religious themes.

Sources: WW29; 300 Years of American Art, 754-755; Falk, Exh. Record Series.