Lot Essay
Scottish and Newcastle Breweries commissioned Spear to create the present work and lot 53.
Mary Spear writes about the present work: 'The Boileau is a landmark pub - just across Hammersmith Bridge. We (Rus and I) lived in a flat near the Bridge. Rus had not acquired a car and could not walk well (polio). So we often strolled along the river. Later he would use oils to sketch, but at this time I think he used a sketchbook and did the work at home' (private correspondence, April 2009).
We are very grateful to the artist's widow, Mary Spear, for her assistance cataloguing lots 51 and 53.
Mary Spear writes about the present work: 'The Boileau is a landmark pub - just across Hammersmith Bridge. We (Rus and I) lived in a flat near the Bridge. Rus had not acquired a car and could not walk well (polio). So we often strolled along the river. Later he would use oils to sketch, but at this time I think he used a sketchbook and did the work at home' (private correspondence, April 2009).
We are very grateful to the artist's widow, Mary Spear, for her assistance cataloguing lots 51 and 53.