Study for Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta : Girls Listening

The present work is a study for Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta: Girls Listening. Bell notes that, 'The picture, completed in December 1953, shows a party of barmaids seated round a table set on the lush grass by the river. Although they are supposed to be listening to Christ preaching nearby, only two, seated on the far side of the table, seem to be paying any attention; the rest carry on with more diverting activities' (see exhibition catalogue, Stanley Spencer, R.A., London, Royal Academy, 1980, p. 217).