This website promotes the British artist Christian Spurling (1902 – 1993). Christian was the son of Jack Spurling (1870 – 1933), a well known marine artist. Christian’s biography and catalogue raisonné was published in September 2022. Picture Me Again contains corrections and additions to the first edition. The contents are also re-ordered to improve readability.
Reader’s Guide
This is a reference book containing three sections: Christian’s biography (Chapters 1 to 13), his catalogue raisonné (Chapter 14) and several appendices. The last known update to Jack Spurling’s catalogue raisonné was in 1980 – Appendix A includes numerous candidates for a long overdue revision.
The goal of this work is to help those looking to verify the provenance of a Christian Spurling painting, and those more interested in the man himself. The former should head directly to Chapter 14. The latter should just start at the beginning and work forward. The journey is for the most part a forward progression in time, starting in the mid nineteenth century. There is the occasional leap forward to the present, but you are quickly returned after the interesting detour has been dealt with.
Information about the Loch Ness Monster in Chapter 9 is based entirely on the work of David Martin and Alastair Boyd. David kindly agreed to share transcripts made in 1991/92 when Christian was interviewed about his role in the affair – a special thank-you is given for this generous help.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Father
Chapter 2 Mother
Chapter 3 Siblings
Chapter 4 Stepfather
Chapter 6 Filmster
Chapter 7 Planter
Chapter 8 First Wife
Chapter 9 Monster
Chapter 11 Second Wife
Chapter 12 Artist
Chapter 13 Legacy
Chapter 14 Catalogue Raisonné
Appendix A Jack Spurling Cross Reference
Appendix B The Blue Peter Magazine Cover Index
Appendix C Stage Reviews and Notices
Appendix D Film Reviews & Notices
Appendix E Walter Gardiner Tables
Appendix G Correspondence
Appendix H Copyright Notices
Reference Resources
Further Reading & Listening
Contact
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