Charles Spencelayh (British, 1865–1958), , Dreams of Glory

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European Art & Old Masters

By Freeman's

Feb 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-23 12:00:00 2021-02-23 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : European Art & Old Masters https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/european-art-old-masters-6395
A collection of important European artworks including an important rediscovered painting by Carl Moll, and three newly authenticated works by 17th century French and Italian Masters, Valentin de Boulogne, Carlo Dolci and Lionello Spada. Curated by David Weiss, Head of Sale. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

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• Lot Description
  Charles Spencelayh (British, 1865–1958)

  Dreams of Glory

  Signed and dated 'CHARLES SPENCELAYH/1900' bottom left, oil on canvas

  30 x 20 in. (76.2 x 50.8cm)

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  PROVENANCE:

  Sotheby's, New York, sale of May 28, 1981, lot 300.

  Acquired directly from the above sale.

  The Forbes Collection, Florida.

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  EXHIBITED:

  "Childhood in Victorian England: From the Forbes Magazine Collection," Denver, Colorado, September 6-28, 1985, no. 31; and also The Forbes Magazine Galleries, New York, New York, December 3, 1985-May 10, 1986; and also Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut, November 12, 1986-January 4, 1987; and finally Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon, February 11-May 3, 1987 (traveling exhibition).

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  LITERATURE:

  Susan P. Casteras, Victorian Childhood: Paintings Selected from the Forbes Magazine Collection by Christopher Forbes, N.H. Abrams, New York, 1986, pl. 3, pp. 10-13 (illustrated p. 12 as pl. 3).

  Jackie Wullschläger, Inventing Wonderland: The Lives and Fantasies of Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, J. M. Barrie, Kenneth Grahame and A. A. Milne, Methuen, London, 2001, p. 132 (illustrated).

  Debra N. Macoff, The Return of King Arthur: The Legend Through Victorian Eyes, H.N. Abrams, New York, 1995 p. 128 (illustrated).

  Joseph A. Kestner, Masculinities in Victorian Painting Scholar Press, Aldershot, 1995, p. 193-194.

  Susan P. Casteras, The Defining Moment: Victorian Narrative Paintings from the Forbes Magazine Collection, Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, 1999, p. 119.

  Collections Mutations, Éditions Autrement, No. 169-170, 1997, p. 130.

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  NOTE:

  Charles Spencelayh studied at the Kensington School of art, later becoming a renowned portrait and figure painter whose mastery in oils, etchings and miniatures was celebrated by many. He exhibited a large quantity of his works at the Royal Society of Artists, the Royal Miniature Society, as well as the Royal Academy.

  Dreams of Glory was painted in 1900, during the Boer War, an international conflict between the British Empire and the South African Republic (Republic of Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. The canvas depicts a sleepy boy, dreaming of military glory. At the time, such naive visions of war honors were a common theme amongst artists, sometimes even encouraged by the British Empire in response to specific campaigns or fights in which it was involved, such as the Crimean War, the Indian Mutiny and the Boer War. As Joseph Kestner explains, it was also “part of the underlying super-masculinized behavior and cult of heroism so characteristic of Victorian ideology”.

  The painting is consistent with Spencelayh’s militiae works, which often explore the relationship between generations, through the lens of a grandparent or a grandchild. As Susan Casteras comments, “In this painting the sole subject is a sleeping boy, a little soldier who presumably dreams of victory and the glamour and excitement of combat. In one hand he holds a drumstick, while near the pillow lies a drum of the sort that young drummer boys beat for the troops marching off to battle. The child’s fantasies have materialized above his head in a group of soldiers with guns, and it has been suggested that the round bedstead finial looks like a small globe or world perhaps symbolizing the global strength of the British Empire in military as well as other matters.”

• Shipping Info

  • No lot may be removed from Freeman’s premises until the buyer has paid in full the purchase price therefor including Buyer’s Premium or has satisfied such terms that Freeman’s, in its sole discretion, shall require. Subject to the foregoing, all Property shall be paid for and removed by the buyer at his/ her expense within ten (10) days of sale and, if not so removed, may be sold by Freeman’s, or sent by Freeman’s to a third-party storage facility, at the sole risk and charge of the buyer(s), and Freeman’s may prohibit the buyer from participating, directly or indirectly, as a bidder or buyer in any future sale or sales. In addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s by law, Freeman’s reserves the right to impose a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price on any balance remaining ten (10) days after the day of sale. If Property is not removed by the buyer within ten (10) days, a handling charge of 2% of the total purchase price per month from the tenth day after the sale until removal by the buyer shall be payable to Freeman’s by the buyer. Freeman’s will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any goods left in Freeman’s possession after ten (10) days. If the foregoing conditions or any applicable provisions of law are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s and the Consignor (including without limitation the right to hold the buyer(s) liable for the bid price) Freeman’s, at its option, may either cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the buyer(s), or resell the property. In such event, the buyer(s) shall remain liable for any deficiency in the original purchase price and will also be responsible for all costs, including warehousing, the expense of the ultimate sale, and Freeman’s commission at its regular rates together with all related and incidental charges, including legal fees. Payment is a precondition to removal. Payment shall be by cash, certified check or similar bank draft, or any other method approved by Freeman’s. Checks will not be deemed to constitute payment until cleared. Any exceptions must be made upon Freeman’s written approval of credit prior to sale. In addition, a defaulting buyer will be deemed to have granted and assigned to Freeman’s, a continuing security interest of first priority in any property or money of, or owing to such buyer in Freeman’s possession, and Freeman’s may retain and apply such property or money as collateral security for the obligations due to Freeman’s. Freeman’s shall have all of the rights accorded a secured party under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	29.00
    $600,000	23.00
    $3,000,000	15.00