AUSTIN OSMAN SPARE (1886-1956)

When Austin Osman Spare’s studio in Walworth Road was destroyed during the height of Blitz in London in 1941, the artist went to live with an old sweetheart and childhood friend, Ada Millicent Pain at her home in Brixton. As the correspondence between the two which accompanies the present work indicates, Pain would remain a loyal friend and supporter of the artist for the rest of her life. Following his exhibitions in 1936, 1937 and 1938 which were very well received, Spare was about to enter one of the most productive and successful periods of his career.

We are very grateful to Robert Ansell for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.