Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) is perhaps the best-loved British artist of the 20th century whose visionary paintings of the English countryside are seared into the public's conciousness.

Since a childhood visit to Spencer's village of Cookham, James Fox has been captivated by the eccentric artist's work. In this talk James will describe, in embarrassing detail, how his obsession started and later developed. He will tell the dramatic story of Spencer's life, analyse his greatest pictures, and argue that this idiosyncratic figure is actually one of the most important artists of the modern era. 

Dr James Fox is an art historian, BAFTA-nominated broadcaster, and Fellow of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. He has written widely on the history of art, and next year Penguin will publish his first trade book, The World According to Colour. James has made numerous art series for the BBC, including A History of Art in Three Colours; Forest, Field and Sky; Art out of Nature; and The Art of Japanese Life. He is also President of the Friends of the Stanley Spencer Gallery.