7th Oct, 2025 10:00
Modern and Contemporary Art
266
▲ Nancy Sharp (1909-2001)
In the Garden
signed with initials l.r., oil on canvas
36 x 46cm,
together with an accompanying letter from the artist's son, Philip Spender (2)
Provenance: A single-owner collection.
Exhibited: 32nd London Group exhibition, November 1934.
Nancy Sharp was a painter and teacher whose career spanned much of the 20th century. Born in Truro, Cornwall, she studied at Cheltenham Ladies’ College, then at the Chelsea School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art (1928-1931), where she trained alongside artists such as Rodrigo Moynihan and William Coldstream, whom she later married.
Sharp was a figurative painter working in the mainstream English realist tradition and her work was regularly exhibited with the London Group, and she contributed to wartime exhibitions such as the Civil Defence Artists’ show.
During the Second World War, she served as an ambulance driver in the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service, showing remarkable bravery during the Blitz. After the war, she married Michael Spender, brother of poet Stephen Spender, and continued painting while raising a family and teaching art in London schools until 1977.
Though she avoided self-promotion and had limited commercial success, Sharp remained active in the art world, exhibiting into her later years and participating in workshops at the Camden Institute. Her work is held in collections including the National Portrait Gallery, Government Art Collection, and Sir John Soane’s Museum.
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Euston Road and The Camberwell School of Art - including a single owner collection
Browse the selection of lots in the 'Euston Road and The Camberwell School of Art' category, featured in our 7 October 'Modern and Contemporary Art' auction.
Sold for £2,200
Condition Report
Framed: 49 x 59cm
Appears to be in good condition without any obvious condition issues. Examined under UV light no retouching shows.
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Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art, 7th Oct, 2025
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Tuesday 9 - Friday 26 September at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 5.30pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information, please contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 3 October, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 5 October, 10am - 1pm
Monday 6 October, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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