Arthur Calder-Marshall

by Humphrey Spender
bromide print, 1935
3 1/4 in. x 3 in. (83 mm x 76 mm)
Purchased, 1981
Photographs Collection
NPG x14704

Sitterback to top

Arthur Calder-Marshall (1908-1992), Writer, biographer, novelist and essayist. Sitter in 9 portraits.

Artistback to top

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

This portraitback to top

The contrived profile study was typical of Spender's year as a studio photographer. Rejecting the tripod he moved freely around the space using his Leica camera, artificial lighting and background material that included the silver lining made for airships. In 1968, while moving house, Spender grew despondent about his early photography and consigned a large tin with all his studio negatives to the dustbin. This vintage print is one of a small group of surviving prints from the period.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

In Close Up: Humphrey Spender (14 September 2002 - 14 March 2003)

Subject/Themeback to top

In profile

Events of 1935back to top

Current affairs

Stanley Baldwin starts his third term as Prime Minister after Ramsay Macdonald resigns due to ill health. Coincidentally, Baldwin's first term in office also came about when the Prime Minister of the time, Bonar Law, stepped down due to illness in 1923.

Art and science

Robert Watson-Watt demonstrates Radar, showing how an aircraft can be tracked by detecting radio waves reflected off it. During the war, Watson-Watt established a network of machines and operators that helped detect the approach of enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain.
Penguin publishes its first paperback books, making reading more portable and affordable to a wider audience.

International

Italy invades Abyssinia. The invasion of the country now known as Ethiopia was part of Mussolini's plan to create an Italian Empire. It was also an attempt to avenge Abyssinia's victory over the Italian army at Adowa in 1896.
Germany introduces conscription, breaking the disarmament clause of the Treaty of Versailles.

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