Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) was an English artist who studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where contemporaries included Paul Nash and Ben Nicholson. Spencer is best known for his series of biblical scenes re-enacted in the streets of Cookham, where he was born. From 1945 to 1950 he made a series of paintings of the Resurrection, staged in Scotland’s own Port Glasgow, where he had worked as a War Artist during the Second World War.
Painted in 1950, ‘Christ Delivered to the People’ depicts a moment from the story of the crucifixion of Jesus as depicted in the Bible. Spencer painted this scene during a year of personal difficulty, during which he sought reconciliation with his first wife, Hilda whilst simultaneously taking out divorce proceedings against his second wife, Patricia Preece. Preece contested the divorce and, tragically, Hilda died later that year.
A spokesperson for the National Galleries of Scotland said: NGS spokesperson:
“The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to be sharing another major work from its collections with audiences in the north of Scotland as part of its ongoing partnership with Historic Environment Scotland at Duff House.”
Graeme Curran, Collections Manager for Duff House at Historic Environment Scotland, said:
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming another beautiful artwork to our site for display. This piece by Spencer is a moving and historic work that will be open for visitors to view in the aptly historic setting of Duff House.”
Christ Delivered to the People by Stanley Spencer will be on open to view at Duff House on selected dates from Thursday 28 August 2025 to Tuesday 25 August 2026. The artwork is the latest in a series of paintings to be loaned from the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland.
Entry to view the painting is included in the admission price to Duff House. Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry.
About the National Galleries of Scotland
We are the National Galleries of Scotland and our three Edinburgh galleries are the National, Modern and Portrait. We house and look after Scotland’s amazing world-class art collection. Step inside and explore treasures from Vermeer, Botticelli and Titian to the very best modern art to contemporary portraits of pop culture icons. And, as you’d expect, the world’s greatest collection of Scottish art. We’re a space for thinking, dreaming, doing and playing. Soak up the art. Meet friends in the cafés. Have a family picnic surrounded by the sculptures in the Modern grounds. Be inspired by our amazing art films. Choose your own experience. There is no one way to enjoy Scotland’s national collection. We are yours to discover.
About Duff House
Duff House is a triumph of baroque architecture and one of the most important buildings in the north of Scotland. It was designed in 1735 by the renowned Scottish architect William Adam and is now a five-star visitor attraction, run in partnership by Historic Environment Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
- Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot