Percy Frederick Seaton Spence

Place: Sydney

Born: 1868

Death: 1933

Biography:

Percy Frederick Seaton Spence was a prominent Australian artist, born on December 14, 1868, in Sydney. He was the seventh child of English parents Francis Spence, a civil servant, and his wife Hannah, née Turnbull. Spence spent his youth in Fiji, where his father held a government position.

Early Career

Spence began his career as an illustrator for the Sydney Daily Telegraph, Illustrated Sydney News, and The Bulletin. He also exhibited at the Royal Art Society. In 1893, Spence made two drawings of Robert Louis Stevenson in Sydney, one of which is now housed in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

International Recognition

After marrying Jessie Wright on January 30, 1894, Spence moved to England. His illustrations appeared in prominent publications such as Punch, Black and White, and The Graphic. In 1899, Spence had two pictures exhibited at the Royal Academy exhibition, and his work was accepted in the three following years. He also provided illustrations for Britain's Austral Empire in 1901, featuring portraits of leading Australian politicians.

Australian Contributions

In 1905, Spence returned to Sydney and held a one-man show of his work. In 1910, he created 75 illustrations for the volume Australia, part of the Black's colour series. Spence's contributions to Australian art are significant, and his work can be found in various museums and galleries, including the Wikioo.org collection. Some notable works by Percy Frederick Seaton Spence include:

• Percy Frederick Seaton Spence: A portrait of the artist himself
• Royal Art Society: Exhibitions and artworks featuring Spence's illustrations
• National Portrait Gallery: Home to one of Spence's drawings of Robert Louis Stevenson

Spence passed away on August 3, 1933, in Middlesex Hospital, London, after an eye operation. His legacy lives on through his artwork, which can be explored on Wikioo.org. For more information on Spence and other Australian artists, visit the Wikipedia.org page or explore the Wikioo.org collection.