Humphrey Spender

© The Estate of John Banting

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Humphrey Spender

by John Banting
oil on canvas, circa 1934
15 in. x 12 in. (381 mm x 304 mm)
Purchased, 2011
Primary Collection
NPG 6922

Sitterback to top

  • Humphrey Spender (1910-2005), Photographer, artist and designer. Sitter in 3 portraits, Artist or producer of 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Banting (1902-1972), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 7 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait was given to Spender by the artist, the surrealist painter John Banting. Banting and Spender shared a house together and Banting also painted Lolly, Spender's first wife.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1934back to top

Current affairs

Sir Stafford Cripps represents the miners of Gresford Colliery in Wrexham at an inquiry into the recent gas explosion and fire which killed 263 miners, and three rescue workers in one of the worst mining disasters in British history.

Art and science

Percy Shaw invents 'Cat's eyes'. The development of road reflectors increased safety on the roads at night and proved to be particularly useful during the wartime blackout. They are still used today.
Dylan Thomas published his first volume of poetry, 18 Poems.

International

Stalin and Hitler consolidate dictatorial power by 'purging' their opponents. In the Soviet Union, members of the Communist Party and particular sectors of society such as the intelligentsia were targeted in the 'Great Purge', while in Germany Hitler murdered hundreds of potential opponents in the SA during the 'Night of the Long Knives'.
Thousands in the USA are forced to flee their homes to escape the Dust Bowl storms.

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