Gilbert Spencer was a hugely celebrated artist in his own lifetime, supported by some of the most important and colourful patrons around. Today, his work has been eclipsed by that of his brother, Stanley; though ironically, Stanley himself considered Gilbert to be the finer draughtsman. Gilbert was certainly a more committed landscape painter, adding his unique voice to the great tradition of English pastoral painting.
His figure compositions – which gently transform scenes of everyday life into ethereal subjects – are also remarkable and merit a reassessment. The Swedish Girl is one such image, and captures the unknown sitter with delicateness and a lightness of touch.