Artist: Spencer Roberts (1920-1997)
School: English School
Title: ''Soaring Gull''
Year: 1963
Medium: Gouache and Egg Tempera
Dimensions: Approx. 19 1/2 in x 23 1/4 in
Signature: Signed, titled, and dated 1963 lower right, ascribed verso Provenance: Revere Auctions

Description:
''Soaring Gull' is a striking piece by English artist Spencer Roberts (1920-1997), executed in gouache and egg tempera. This painting captures the graceful flight of a black-headed seagull, rendered with meticulous detail and a keen sense of movement. The piece is signed, titled, and dated 1963 in the lower right corner, with further ascription on the verso, ensuring its authenticity. Measuring approximately 19 1/2 inches by 23 1/4 inches, this work is a fine example of mid-20th-century English art.

Arthur Spencer Roberts (8 January 1920 – October 1997)

Arthur Spencer Roberts was a renowned British painter known for his interest in animal and wildlife subjects. He also produced portraits and paintings of military scenes, with his largest work being a mural for the Manor House at Port Lympne Zoo.

Early Life

Roberts was born in Cork, Ireland, to Arthur Meyrick Roberts, an army officer who served in World War I and later in Ireland. His father eventually left the army and became a trombone player for the Scottish Orchestra in Glasgow (1923–27). Due to health reasons, the family moved to Hastings, where Arthur pursued swimming to improve his tuberculosis. His proficiency in swimming led to his selection for the 1940 Olympic team, although the event was canceled due to the war. His interest in wildlife and bird watching was evident from a young age, and he also became an expert beach fisherman.

Roberts was educated at Hastings Grammar School (1931-1937) and then attended Hastings College of Art. Despite winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, the outbreak of war prevented him from attending.

Military Career

In 1938, Roberts joined the 114th Field Regiment of the Territorial Army, following his father's advice. He volunteered to become an airforce pilot and trained in the UK and the USA under the Empire Air Training Plan. After surviving a severe head injury in a crash, he became a navigation instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Later, he returned to the army, participated in the film "The Way Ahead," and served in India and Burma during World War II, where he was employed to scout and make drawings of enemy positions.

Roberts produced several murals while stationed in India and received six campaign medals before being demobilized in 1946.

Later Life

After the war, Roberts returned to Sussex, where he met and married his wife, Mavis. He completed his Fine Arts degree and obtained a teaching diploma from Brighton Arts College. He briefly taught at Maidstone Secondary Modern School and Hastings Central School.

In 1955, Roberts illustrated "Smoke over Sikanska" by J.S. Gowland, which led him to move to British Columbia, Canada, where he worked as a commercial artist for the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1957, he was recalled to England due to the Suez Crisis, but the crisis ended before he resumed military duties. He then focused on preparing for exhibitions and teaching at the Downs School, Bexhill.

Roberts moved several times, from St Leonards-on-Sea to Fairlight, the Isle of Arran in Scotland, Rye, and finally to a former boathouse near the Royal Military Canal. His works gained increasing attention, with successful exhibitions in London, New York, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Japan.

References

Spencer-Roberts, Mavis (2004). Chiaroscuro: The Life of Arthur Spencer-Roberts. ISBN 0-9549064-0-3.
''Arthur Spencer Roberts obituary.'' The Daily Telegraph. 8 November 1997.
Grose, Irving (October 1977). Spencer Roberts, exhibition notes. London: Belgrave Gallery Ltd.