Ruskin Spear
(1911-1990), PainterSitter in 10 portraits
Artist of 12 portraits
Painter. Initially influenced by Sickert and the Euston Road School, Spear became known for his topical and extroverted portraiture, often based on photojournalism, which won him widespread popularity.
by Mervyn Levy
pencil, 1982
NPG 5538
by Ruskin Spear
oil on board, 1982
NPG 5535
by Geoffrey Ireland
bromide print on card mount, 1950s
NPG x125114
Claude Rogers; Robert Buhler; Donald Hamilton Fraser, Ruskin Spear; Carel Weight
by Geoffrey Ireland
bromide print on card mount, circa 1953
NPG x125115
Ruskin Spear; Rodney Joseph Burn; Carel Weight; Sir Roger de Grey; Robin Darwin
by Geoffrey Ireland
bromide print on card mount, circa 1953
NPG x125116
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 25 September 1969
NPG x165977
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 25 September 1969
NPG x165978
by George Newson
bromide fibre print, 18 December 1985
NPG x33554
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Lois Kincaid-Hall
21 May 2016, 15:47
Ruskin taught at The Hammersmith School of Art - it must have been in the 50s - when my first husband, Frederick Philip Gray, was Head-Master there. Both had been students under Rothenstein in the RCA in the 30s. We liked to visit him and his wife (Mary?) and he used to drive about in a black London taxi, partly because he had a gammy leg. I liked his paintings and remember him well although I am now 100 yrs old.