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A HISTORY OF The Yellow Door School of Landscape Painting. Frank Spenlove-Spenlove Founder |
So it was to be in Beckenham in Kent, back in 1896, that the artist Frank Spenlove-Spenlove, a fine British landscape painter, established the now famous 'Spenlove School of Modern Landscape Painting.' Better known as the 'Yellow Door School of Art'. Trained practically himself within the more relaxed Parisian studio system, he passionately maintained; "The French system of teaching is better than the English because French masters take students up and train them individually." This was a firm policy and method he adopted and followed all his life, running his own art school in much the same, less formal and relaxed way. Thus he allowed his pupils 'great room for individuality' and the additional scope to 'develop their very own style.' Though endowing them with; "superior technical knowledge" and the basis with which to accomplish it. Frank would devote a generous amount of time to each student, suggesting individual improvements and urging them on with great enthusiasm. Teaching them to observe and develop their art. All of his pupils truly admired the man. Observers to the art school sessions record how impressed they were with what an extraordinary 'variety' of styles were to be seen amongst his students' work. |
Frank Spenlove-Spenlove RA 1907 |
FULL BIOGRAPHY AND CATALOGUE RAISSONE
John Francis Spenlove - Spenlove
RCA., RBA., RI., ROI., RBC., FRSA, FRGS. 1868 -1933
Alias: Frank Spenlove; Frank Spenlove Spenlove and J.F.Spenlove
Frank Spenlove-Spenlove: A Biography and Catalogue of his Life
Written and compiled by David Freeman
The Yellow Door Art School was originally located at No. 34, (later No.80) Beckenham High Street, but in November of 1917 it moved to its permanent home 116, Victoria Street, in London. |
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Though the original building in Beckenham was destroyed during the war and the schools future records are equally sadly lost, likely also destroyed during the war years when stored with his paintings and chattels, Frank's legacy lives on. With huge number of his art students becoming successful artists in their own right. As can be attested to by the copious list of numerous artists we do know that trained under him. Though this is only the tip of the iceberg. See section below: Some notable Students emerging from the Yellow Door School of Painting: For students of the arts, apart from those just interested in the fascinating life of this artist, it may be useful to understand the background to:
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The Development of the British Art School system.
Towards the end of the 19th century, during the period in which the Yellow Door Art School in Beckenham was first established, there was a unique boom in the development of both public and privately run British art schools. Between the 1850's and 1900 there had been a dramatic, nation-wide mission launched by the government, which had established hundreds of art schools across Great Britain and Ireland and all in part-sponsored and approved by the government’s own ‘Department of Science and Art’ which was based in South Kensington.
[Beckenham Journal]
For Edwin Buckman, art tutor to Queen Alexandra, his was a private art school and one that in turn became the studio of Henry Carr RA. After him it became the studio of the painter, Laurence Norris RA, then two other artists took over, one called William Ainsworth Wildman and finally another called Wolfe Kassamov, knowledge of whom little is recorded.
A much more colourful example and the very first establishment to actually stake claim to the full title of ‘Art School’ was;
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The Beckenham School of Music and Art; based at number 10 -11 The Parade, Beckenham.
This training school seemingly had unlimited pretensions and an aristocratic, though interchangeable pedigree, offering an extravagantly colourful, almost pompous style. Boasting a manicured staff of; “fifty professors” which was led by its eminent Director of Studies, the classical composer of music, Mr. Arthur O’Leary. It had an art master called Hugh Bellingham-Smith, who was a medallist of the Slade School of Fine Art at London University and he was later replaced by another art master called Mr. Pyne.
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Hugh Bellingham-Smith
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Like Frank Spenlove's school, this school sought to teach drawing and painting from “Natural Objects and Life. With a special attention given to the encouragement and development of individual talent”. So it was into this rich and wide open market place, that in 1896 and right alongside similar local art training enterprises, Frank Spenlove Spenlove, opened his own art school, the Yellow Doors Studio. An event which was announced, in true flourishing rubric 'Spenlove' pen brandishing style - thus: |
The Spenlove School: “For years past the Private Studios of English Artists of distinction have
Drawing for the Press and Lessons by Correspondence.”
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Mr. Spenlove was to be the self proclaimed 'Principal and Director 'and his assistant, a 'drawing master' who is an elusive man who I can find little factual detail of (Apart from a likely listing in the Census.) He was the implausible sounding, but no doubt a man adding great 'Continental colour' to the Spenlove school prospectus and the campus, Signor Amando Profile, who Frank spelled as 'Profile'. He was actually the Italian, Peter Armando Profill, the late master at King's College, London.
The Yellow Door school of art offered practical tuition both in the studio itself, to those in specific attendance to one of the first private art schools to be opened near London and even more uniquely, by offering correspondence courses to those further afield.
Allegedly no fewer than fourteen thousand students passed through the Spenlove art studio, though this is in no way confirmed and is typical of the flowery and often exaggerated claims made by art schools of the times. All to be taken with a pinch of salt. But Frank certainly nurtured and tutored many, many artists and even more through his successful correspondence courses. What is very clear however, is that his attendee students travelled from all around the Kingdom to be trained under Frank's watchful eye and we are told, from as far afield as; Russia, Japan, France, Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. All wanting to train at his truly 'international' school of art. He also offered what was advertised as; 'SPECIAL OUT-DOOR PAINTING CLASSES' En plein air, near London during the Summer which is covered later.
Private art schools of the time were prone to puffery, high on labels, titles and rather self assumptive claims, but were often short on content and invariably run with meagre resources in rented rooms. But Frank's was a serious concern and well respected. What they did offer had great associative appeal, by way of drawing and painting 'like a real artist', but without any of the obligations, regulations, examinations and presentations that art students in the official art schools worked to. But it was obvious that Frank wanted his art school to have the best of both worlds and like the new state run art schools, when assessments were made of his students works, or if they were lent to exhibition, they bore the art school's own rubber stamp.
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SPENLOVE'S GOLDEN PORTAL James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903), who in 1888 lived next door to Frank Spenlove in Tite Street, was to christen Frank Spenlove-Spenlove's art school; 'Spenlove’s Golden Portal' But why? Well Frank was a logical man and the fact that first Yellow Door Art School in Beckenham had a bright yellow entrance door on the front, the name just stuck. But it has also been called over the years; The Spenlove School. The Spenlove School of Modern Art, the Yellow Door School of Painting, Spenlove's Academy, the Spenlove School of Modern Landscape Art. Yellow Door Studio, the Spenlove Art Academy, the Yellow Door School of Painting and the Yellow Door School of Modern Landscape and Pictorial Art !
There follows an interesting and enlightening insight into life at the Yellow Door Art School, by a visitor recording the event:
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Frank Spenlove in the studio. |
"Students who are already finished artists, but who, feeling they have still more to learn - as the true artist always must return from time to time to the studio to put in some more hard work. They will probably produce numerous drawings, paintings, and sketches, and will bring them to receive Mr Spenlove-Spenlove's criticism and advice towards the latter part of the lesson, when the class has been well started and he has at last found a few free moments to spare. One of these, was a beautiful study, full of poetry and imagination, showed a pool with nymphs bathing by the light of the moon, with a wonderful effect of the light shining through trees into the glimpse of dark water. Many of the students, who are anxious to be able to introduce figures into their landscapes, work from draped figures and costumed models posed in the studio on one or two days a week. These models are chosen with a special view to their subsequent introduction into the students' landscape pictures. Dressed as Elves, fairies, milkmaids, herdsmen, woodcutters, and harvesters, they all visit the studio in turn." |
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Advertisement: Beckenham Journal 12.01.1901 “SPENLOVE” Studios "The Principal & Director Member of the Council (By Royal Charter) Royal Society Only a limited number of Students received. Assistant Drawing Master : Object of the School. – For years past the _______ CLASSED FOR LADIES JUNIOR DEPARTMANT SPECIAL LANDSCAPE BLACK AND WHITE & Drawing for the Press Prospectus and further particulars upon appli- Spring Term begins Tuesday
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Advert 10.01. 1914 Principal and Director FRANK SPENLOVE-SPENLOVE R.I, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Membre de la Societe des Artistes Francais International Honours: Paris, Rome, United States, Munich, Berlin, Brussels, Leige |
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The Yellow Door Scool of painting Stamp
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Notable students emerging from the Yellow Door School of Painting: It is a remarkable achievement for Frank Spenlove to have taught, encouraged and fostered so many aspiring talents at the Yellow Door School of Art. This is but a handful of people that I have discovered in my limited research, as all records of those attending the art school are lost. There surely are countless others who attended, yet to be added to this list. This surely is a measure of the man?
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Paul PAUL RBA. British (1865 - 1937) Landscape and Portrait painter born in Constantinople . Constance Helen BRADSHAW. (1873—1961) British; |
Eleanor (Weymouth) HUGHES RI (1882 – 1959) Born in Christchurch, New Zealand. Landscape artist in watercolours and print maker:
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Thomas Sherwood LaFontaine (1915-2007) Born in Turkey to English parents. |
Ba NYAN (1897-1945) is heralded as the greatest modern painter to emerge from Burma. Founded an Institute of art of his own for Myanmar art students in Burma. Played a key role in introducing western techniques to Burmese artists |
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Margaret THEYRE WIAC British ( 1897-1977 ) Born Northampton painted mainly landscapes, horses and figures but was also a potter. Worked extensively in the Pyrenees. |
Theo (Theodora) MOORE (1879 - 1968 ) British watercolourist painting landscapes also in oils. Born in Birmingham. Exh: 1911-20) Exhibited at the RA, AB 2, RI 2, ROI 2, SWA 9. Paris Salon 1927 Abbey Gallery. Became Principal of the Cathcart School of Modern Art |
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Phylis Elsie Wedlock PRIDE R.Cam.A., SWA ( Fl 1938) |
Phyllis HESELTINE ASWA (Fl 1920’s ) British Children’s portraitist in watercolour. Born in Essex. Exh 1912-1935. RA 4, RBA 2, RCA 3, RI 1, ROI 1, SWA 16, R.Cam.A, P 4, Paris Salon Elected Associate SWA in 1915 |
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Charles Mayes WIGG (1889-1969) British landscape artist and etcher, particularly Norfolk and the Broads. |
Agnes Marion MIDDLETON ( fl 1915 -1950 ) British. Norwich art circle artist painting mainly Landscapes and flower studies. Exhibited: RA 1, and Nottingham 6. |
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Edith M. VICARY SWA. (Mrs Bulteel) from Exeter; B Cornwall: Exh 24 works between 1902 to 1915 – SWA. known to exhibit from 1901 to 1914 at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; the Royal Institute of Oil Painters; The RA; the Dudley Gallery; and the Society of Women Artists . |
Joyce Deighton DIXON |
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Sheila Scott HENDERSON B 1910
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Edna W. GUY RSMA., (1898 - 1969) British; from Sutton in Surrey: Marine painter mainly in oils. Exh: RA, RI, RSMA, RSA, NS, SMA, SWA, Paris Salon and widely abroad. |
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Rosa Ellen TAPP ASWA ( 1864 –1940 ) from Beckenham:– Exh 1902-1918 34 works + some florals Elected an associate of the Society of Artist of Women Artist in 1905 and she exhibited at the Royal Society of Artists, Manchester City Art Gallery, Royal Cambrian Academy and the Society of Women Artists and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Herbert Francis PILGRIM (1915- ) British, born in Woolwich London. A landscape painter and photographer with a special interest in animal subjects. Exhibited in London. |
Esther Studholme BARKER (1885-1975) |
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Lindsay Scott CLARK – (fl. 1937-1957) Born Forfar Scotland. Painter of Scottish Landscapes and marine subjects |
George RAFFAN ( Exh 1937-40) British landscape painter from Sussex. Cicely Brigit MARTIN. ASWA (1879-1947) born in Lambeth, London. |
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Marie Olivia Hewson GUEST (1880-1966) Canadian, born in Nova Scotia. Studied under Spenlove 1913. Became one of Winnipeg’s most notable artists in the 1940’s painting watercolours. |
Henry Wellington WACK P. BsoA 1873 - 1955) (American) Born in Baltimore, Maryland. |
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Morgan Alfred Thornley ABWS, NSA (1897 - 1965) Welsh |
Mary DICKINSON fl. 1935-1968 British Watercolour Artist - Flowers and Floral Paintings |
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Henry A. TRIER (British, 1877 - 1962) Landscape painter in Oils. Painted in France and Italy Exh 1925-29 - BAR 36, FIN 125 Joseph WEST BWS (1882-1930) British
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Beatrix DOBIE (1887–1945) New Zealand Travelled with Esther Studholme BARKER (1885-1975) Esther S Hope to England in 1911. Exhibited with CSA 1919–26. Painter of landscapes and horses. |
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Bessie COOPER (Australian) miniature painter, landscapes and portraitist. |
Olive Dutton GREEN ( 1878 - July 1930 ) Australian landscape artist working in oils and watercolours. Worked extensively in Brittany. |
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| Bessie Adelaide FRY (Symons) Canadian (1884-1976) Born Farringdon England. Emigrated to Canada. Landscapes in oil, watercolour and pastel. Also a printmaker. Founder member of Federation of Canadian Artists. Life member Edmonton Art Club, BC Society of Fine Arts,. Exh: BC Society of Fine Arts, 1927-67 and Royal Canadian Academy 1927-33. Solo Exhibition in Jasper 1922 and Vancouver in 1933. |
Ethel Lucy ADAM. NSA. British (Exh 1919 –35) |
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Mary DICKINSON British Fl.1930 Liverpool Artist - Painting Florals / Flower Paintings - Landscapes in watercolours. |
Marjory Graham ARNOLD (1884 – 1940 ) Australian. Painter and printmaker. An active member of the arts community, she was a founding member of the Society of Women Painters and Exhibition Committee and the vice-president of the Women's Industrial Art Society in 1937. Associate of the Royal Art Society, Sydney Society of Women Painters, Women’s Industrial Art Society, Queensland Arts Society, Society of Arts and crafts, New South Wales. |
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Helen Sophia O'HARA (1846 - 1920) |
Mabel F GOOD (British) from Totnes Devon~ She Went on to write a book on oil painting under the pseudonym; Furze Walsh. "How to paint in oil." A suicide pact saw her and her husband Alexander, take their own lives, bound together at the waist. They were found in the Thames above Teddington. |
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The Spenlove Art School - Tuition Fees etc.
"The school year is divided into three terms, or sessions, of twelve weeks each.
Classes for general painting and drawing, both elementary and advanced, are held on three mornings a week from 10 till 1 o'clock, for which the fees are four guineas a session.
Per session of twelve weeks or twenty-four lessons, two mornings or two afternoons a week, £11.11s. The fees for special private demonstration lessons at the studio on " The Art of Picture Making," lasting for about an hour, are £11 for a course of twelve lessons, and £6. 6s. for a half course of six lessons, while the fee for a single private demonstration lesson is £2. 2s. The Corner House, 69, Addison Road, Kensington"
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The Outdoor Sketching Lessons in Eynesford.
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"Mr.Spenlove-Spenlove also holds a series of special outdoor art classes two days a week, during May, June and July. These are in the Darent Valley which is in the village of Eynsford, Kent, which, though only a few stations beyond Beckenham and but a half-hour journey from town, is one of the most picturesque spots imaginable. It boasts, besides a charmingly picturesque stone bridge, a stream with overhanging willows, meadows and orchards, haystacks and picturesque barns galore, and a row of real old Queen Anne cottages. A picturesque cottage at the further end of the village, right out in the country, provides a pleasant rest house for students, and here simple meals can be obtained and easels and painting outfits stored. It is a very handy place of refuge in showery weather." |
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Frank Spenloves Painting class in the Darrent Valley, Kent |
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A Sketching Class
"The members of the Yellow Door sketching class meet at Victoria station soon after 11 o'clock, and on arrival at Eynsford, scatter throughout the village to spend the whole day studying out in the open.
Mr. Spenlove-Spenlove's keen interest and helpful enthusiasm over their work is the same for all, and the way in which he gives students confidence in their own powers and brings them on in their work is astonishing. Good lodgings are obtainable at Eynsford, and Mr. Spenlove-Spenlove's students often spend a month or two down there during the summer months, joining the outdoor classes two days a week, and working by themselves between whiles. The fees for the outdoor classes are £6. 6s. for twelve meetings, and £3.3. 6d. for six, and as the number of pupils joining each class is strictly limited, each one gets much individual attention."
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© David Freeman: 2015 |
This is an ongoing project: * The author is grateful to many of the members of Frank Spenlove-Spenlove's family for the valuable information and images they have supplied. This detail has enabled me to make this information about the artist much more reliable for students of art history and thus, for the enjoyment and appreciation of all.
Please contact us if you own or know of a student of the Spenlove School of art, or of details of a painting by Frank Spenlove- Spenlove that is not includedin the catalogued lists We also seek more information on; Joyce Deighton Dixon a former ex student and we believe, his studio assistant. And the Irish born painter Helen Sophia O'Hara and Mary Dickinson
<PLEASE CONTACT US> IF YOU CAN HELP Thanks to Mr William Forster for this Mary Dickinson floral image;
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