Stephen Spender

1 portrait of Stephen Spender

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Stephen Spender

by Bill Brandt
bromide print, 1941
10 1/8 in. x 8 in. (257 mm x 203 mm)
Purchased, 1982
Primary Collection
NPG P196

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Bill Brandt (1904-1983), Photographer. Artist or producer of 120 portraits, Sitter in 34 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait shows Spender in the London office of the literary magazine Horizon, which he co-edited from 1939. It was originally published in Lilliput magazine in the article, 'Young Poets of Democracy'. A photograph of Christopher Isherwood in Berlin taken by Humphrey Spender can be seen in the background.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG P41: Christopher Isherwood (appears within the portrait)

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Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1941back to top

Current affairs

The Blitz continues with sustained Luftwaffe attacks on British cities. As the bombing went on the urban population got used to the black out, the air raid sirens and nights spent in shelter. The idea emerged (to some extent a myth) of the 'spirit of the Blitz' where people pulled together united, disregarding traditional class and social divisions.

Art and science

Frank Whittle demonstrates the first test-flight of a plane powered by jet propulsion. Although the German, Hans von Ohain, built the first jet plane, Whittle was the first to patent a design for the jet engine (in 1930), and his subsequent work helped to advance the technology and made Britain leaders in the field.

International

The Soviet Union and America join the Allies. The Soviet Union was forced to switch sides after Hitler attacked in June 1941, reneging the Soviet-Nazi pact. Six months later the US Navy was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbour. The following day the USA declared war on Japan, and three days later Germany and Italy declared war on America.

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