Richard Phené Spiers
Richard Phené Spiers (1838-1916) was a highly-respected architect with a private practice in London, also known for his paintings of architectural views. He was born in Oxford and trained at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and in the office of Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt. He was President of the Architectural Association in 1867-8, Master of the Royal Academy Architecture School from 1870, and Surveyor of the Royal Academy from 1877. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He published several books on architecture, from Architectural Drawing in 1887 to On Japanese Roofs in 1911. He exhibited 98 works at the Royal Academy including views of buildings in Rouen, Nuremberg, Pisa, Paris and Athens. He exhibited 21 watercolours of buildings at the Society of British Artists in Suffolk Street.
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Wothorpe Towers, near Stamford
A watercolour measuring 14½” x 10¼”. Signed R. Phene Spiers.
The Subject
Wothorpe Towers was built c.1611-15 as a spectacular lodge…
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…to Burghley House for Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter, who was the eldest son of Lord Burghley. After Cecil’s death in 1623 it was little used by the family and tended to be leased. It was last occupied in the mid 18th century after which the main roof was removed, the west and east façades dismantled and the service ranges demolished. It survived as a picturesque ruin and remained with the Burghley Estate until 2004 when it was sold into private ownership. The current owners have done much to consolidate the ruins and reinstate the garden layout.
Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire
A watercolour measuring 14½” x 10¼”. Signed R. Phene Spiers.
The Subject
Tattershall Castle, in the care of the National Trust, is an…
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…important surviving 15th century red-brick castle rising dramatically above the Lincolnshire countryside. It was built by Ralph Cromwell, Lord Treasurer of England, in 1434-1447 as a display of his wealth and power in unstable times. It went through many phases in its long history, from a palatial dwelling to a cattle shed and a romantic ruin. When it was put up for sale in 1910 the huge medieval fireplaces were ripped out. Lord Curzon of Kedleston stepped in at the eleventh hour to buy the Castle and he restored it, including putting back the medieval fireplaces. He left it to the National Trust on his death in 1925. This painting shows Tattershall Castle before Lord Curzon undertook the restorations of 1911-1914.