These two self-portraits illustrate the artist's work at different periods of his career. The first, completed in 1897, shows the serious face of an artist at the beginning of his working life. In contrast the more mature work which Spencelayh entitled 'Unknown' expresses his famous sense of humour and is much more relaxed in execution.
'Unknown' was painted for Mr J.N. Levy of Manchester, Spencelayh's first major patron. From the end of the First World War until Mr Levy's death in 1934 the artist was under contract to him and lived in a rent-free house in Manchester provided by his patron.

The picture is sold with a letter from the artist to Mr and Mrs Levy. 'I hereby have decided to part with my vanity, hoping it may never be encouraged by my brushes again. It is with the greatest pleasure I transfer it to you, thinking you may find a place for this Ruffian ...' also enclosed a receipt for ¨0-0s-0d 'for this modern Work of Art? Should the title ever appear not suitable or too short, perhaps the following might meet with your approval: Spencelayh "A thing of Beauty is a joy forever."'