John Rodham Spencer Stanhope was born into a wealthy family, but as the second son, he did not inherit. He studied in Oxford where, through G.F. Watts, he was introduced to Ruskin and Rossetti. He was involved in the Oxford Union Murals and then went on to work in a highly finished Pre-Raphaelite manner. His early subjects were social realist works. The tragic death of his daughter, and his poor health, took him to Florence where he gained much information from the 15th century painters and frescoes in the city. The art of his maturity was both classically and biblically influenced.
 

Martin will share Stanhope's most important series of religious works from Marlborough College Chapel which are among the finest and least public works of the later Pre-Raphaelite movement. John Rodham Spencer Stanhope is buried in Florence and is commemorated in South Yorkshire at Cannon Hall and Cawthorne. He was the uncle of Evelyn de Morgan and his influence can be felt in her art. 
 

Martin will provide a list of helpful books and links to further explore on a PDF following each of the talks via the class information page.