Arthur Spooner

1873-1962

Arthur Spooner was born in Nottingham in 1873 and famed for using his paintings to record the surrounding events within his city of birth. He trained at the Nottingham School of Art in the late 19th century. He later taught landscape and figurative painting there in the early 20th century.

Spooner's  method of teaching required the pupil to attend class with a primed canvas board upon which he painted while the pupil observed the technique. 

Arthur Spooner studied in the traditional Victorian manner at Nottingham School of Art but went on to paint in the British Impressionist style, excelling at atmospheric effects of light. One of his most important paintings "The Goose Fair, Nottingham" painted in 1926 illustrates his considerable talent in painting the lively bustling crowds at dusk. Spooner painted this work from his rooftop studio which overlooked the square. Currently hanging in Nottingham Castle Gallery, it was purchased at auction for the staggering price of £218,000.00. Another painting by Spooner showing the Nottinghamshire Boat Club sold for nearly £100,000 in 1986.
 

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