Mary Spencer Watson (1913 - 2006) Sculpture
Large carved figure by Mary Spencer Watson (1913 - 2006).
An important and often overlooked British sculptor, Mary Spencer Watson was born in 1913 to an artistic family. Her father, George Spencer Watson, was a fine painter and her mother, Hilda, was heavily involved in the dance movement. As a result of a holiday on the Dorset Coast, her parents purchased Dunshay Manor in 1923 which was to be Mary’s home for the rest of her life.
After initially studying at the Slade School in London, she went on to learn under John Skeaping at the Central School of Art and in the late 1930’s went to Paris to study under the tutelage of the great sculptor Ossip Zadkine.
In 1937, aged 24, Watson had her first solo exhibition at the Mansard Gallery at Heals, Tottenham Court Road. After the war she received important commissions, often for the great cathedrals and large public sculptures such as the ‘Chiron’ (1953) that stands in Essex and a stone relief for Cambridge University.
Despite a long and highly productive career that saw her carving into her 90’s, Watson’s work is still little known. A significant retrospective was held in 2004 at Salisbury Museum and Cathedral where over 50 of her works were displayed.
Selected exhibitions include:
National Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, Potters, 1940, 1947
Royal Academy, London, 1940–1934
Women's International Arts Club, 1947, 1950, 1951
Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1950
Dorset County Museum, 1976, 1981, 1998 (solo)
New Art Centre, London, 1985, 1989, 1990 (solo)
This work is documented on page 90 of Annette Ratuszniak’s 2004 catalogue raisonnè on the artist. See reference scanned.
A superb obituary published in the Guardian can be read here.
Some age related splits and spotting but overall in good condition.
Carved walnut, C1946.
76cm tall.
London collection or worldwide shipping available on all items. Please email beforehand for a quote, or select pick up at checkout.
Large carved figure by Mary Spencer Watson (1913 - 2006).
An important and often overlooked British sculptor, Mary Spencer Watson was born in 1913 to an artistic family. Her father, George Spencer Watson, was a fine painter and her mother, Hilda, was heavily involved in the dance movement. As a result of a holiday on the Dorset Coast, her parents purchased Dunshay Manor in 1923 which was to be Mary’s home for the rest of her life.
After initially studying at the Slade School in London, she went on to learn under John Skeaping at the Central School of Art and in the late 1930’s went to Paris to study under the tutelage of the great sculptor Ossip Zadkine.
In 1937, aged 24, Watson had her first solo exhibition at the Mansard Gallery at Heals, Tottenham Court Road. After the war she received important commissions, often for the great cathedrals and large public sculptures such as the ‘Chiron’ (1953) that stands in Essex and a stone relief for Cambridge University.
Despite a long and highly productive career that saw her carving into her 90’s, Watson’s work is still little known. A significant retrospective was held in 2004 at Salisbury Museum and Cathedral where over 50 of her works were displayed.
Selected exhibitions include:
National Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, Potters, 1940, 1947
Royal Academy, London, 1940–1934
Women's International Arts Club, 1947, 1950, 1951
Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1950
Dorset County Museum, 1976, 1981, 1998 (solo)
New Art Centre, London, 1985, 1989, 1990 (solo)
This work is documented on page 90 of Annette Ratuszniak’s 2004 catalogue raisonnè on the artist. See reference scanned.
A superb obituary published in the Guardian can be read here.
Some age related splits and spotting but overall in good condition.
Carved walnut, C1946.
76cm tall.
London collection or worldwide shipping available on all items. Please email beforehand for a quote, or select pick up at checkout.
Large carved figure by Mary Spencer Watson (1913 - 2006).
An important and often overlooked British sculptor, Mary Spencer Watson was born in 1913 to an artistic family. Her father, George Spencer Watson, was a fine painter and her mother, Hilda, was heavily involved in the dance movement. As a result of a holiday on the Dorset Coast, her parents purchased Dunshay Manor in 1923 which was to be Mary’s home for the rest of her life.
After initially studying at the Slade School in London, she went on to learn under John Skeaping at the Central School of Art and in the late 1930’s went to Paris to study under the tutelage of the great sculptor Ossip Zadkine.
In 1937, aged 24, Watson had her first solo exhibition at the Mansard Gallery at Heals, Tottenham Court Road. After the war she received important commissions, often for the great cathedrals and large public sculptures such as the ‘Chiron’ (1953) that stands in Essex and a stone relief for Cambridge University.
Despite a long and highly productive career that saw her carving into her 90’s, Watson’s work is still little known. A significant retrospective was held in 2004 at Salisbury Museum and Cathedral where over 50 of her works were displayed.
Selected exhibitions include:
National Society of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers, Potters, 1940, 1947
Royal Academy, London, 1940–1934
Women's International Arts Club, 1947, 1950, 1951
Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1950
Dorset County Museum, 1976, 1981, 1998 (solo)
New Art Centre, London, 1985, 1989, 1990 (solo)
This work is documented on page 90 of Annette Ratuszniak’s 2004 catalogue raisonnè on the artist. See reference scanned.
A superb obituary published in the Guardian can be read here.
Some age related splits and spotting but overall in good condition.
Carved walnut, C1946.
76cm tall.
London collection or worldwide shipping available on all items. Please email beforehand for a quote, or select pick up at checkout.