Richard Ball Spencer was a self-taught British marine painter hailing from the east end of London.

Spencer lived, for most of his life, in Mile End Old Town and often travelled to nearby ports in search of new commissions. He’s referred to as a ‘pierhead painter’, which is a term used to describe those who specialised in portraits of ships for the seaman travelling aboard them. It was far from a straightforward endeavour as each painting would require completion before the ship departed. 

Works of this nature tended to depict a broadside view and usually with the ship in full sail. Clearly, some artistic licence was involved as the artists rarely left port. Despite the time constraints, Spencer captured the finer nuances of each vessel, often including numerous crew members working on deck.

He’s represented in numerous public collections including the National Maritime Museum, Science Museum, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Government Art Collection, and The National Library of Wales. His son, William Ball Spencer (1854-1923), was also an artist.

Public Collections

Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Carmarthenshire Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, Government Art Collection, Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery, Kirkleatham Museum, The National Library of Wales, Merseyside Maritime Museum, National Maritime Museum, Science Museum, The Box at Plymouth, Thurrock Museum, Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives.

Timeline

1812

Born in London to John Spencer, a grocer, and Elizabeth Ball.

1843

Married Caroline Gibson in Stepney, London. Occupation listed as ‘Painter’.

1851

Lived in Mile End Old Town, London, with his wife and two children. Occupation listed as ‘Marine Painter’.

1871

Lived in Mile End Old Town, London, with his five children. Occupation listed as ‘Marine Artist’.

1881

Lived in Mile End Old Town, London, with his daughter. Occupation listed as ‘Marine Artist’.

1891

Lived in East Ham, London, with his daughter. Occupation listed as ‘Marine Artist’.

1897

Died in East Ham, London.

Press Reports - The Brig ‘Era’ Off Dover

Wells Journal - Saturday 17 January 1857

“Gallant Conduct.

At noon on Sunday week the Brig Era, of Rochester, while off Easington, was struck by a tremendous sea, by which one of the crew was washed overboard. The vessel was shortly afterwards driven on shore between Castle Eden Dene and Horden, where a number of villagers were gathered together on the shore, among whom were Roland Burdon, Esq., J.P., chairman of the quarter sessions, and the Curate of Castle Eden. The vessel was then between thirty and forty yards from the shore, with the sea making a complete breach over her.

The whole crew were numbed with cold, with the exception of the mate, who got out a rope with a cork fender attached. After it had drifted for several yards towards the shore the fender got fast amongst the stones. Mr. Burdon urged the crowd to use every means in their power to save the lives of the benumbed crew, and offered a reward to anyone who would swim through the surf and bring the line on shore. There was no response to this appeal, however, and Mr. Burdon next proposed that a chain of hands be formed for the purpose of reaching the rope, and that the taller men should go in first - this proposal was at once agreed to - a stalwart gamekeeper went first, Mr. Burdon second, and the curate of Castle Eden next.

They then advanced into the water, until Mr. Burdon was up to the shoulders, when the end of the rope was caught, and a communication obtained with the vessel, and the crew were drawn on shore. The captain was the last to leave the vessel; he was an elderly man, and seemed much exhausted; while being drawn on shore he lost the use of his hands, fell over, and hung by his leg, in a most dangerous position.

Mr. Burdon, the clergyman, and the gamekeeper, seeing this, again joined a chain of hands, went up to their necks in the sea, succeeded in reaching the captain, and speedily brought him safe on shore. Mr. Burdon had promptly sent down from the castle a supply of brandy and other restoratives, together with a quantity of blankets, for the shipwrecked mariners.

A carriage was also in waiting, and the whole of the sailors were driven to Mr. Burdon's residence; on their arrival they were hospitably received by Mrs. Burdon, who rendered them every assistance, and they shortly afterwards recovered.”

“The second service clasp was voted to H. A, Hamilton, Esq, of Balbriggan, who for a previous gallant service had received the silver medal of this institution, and the silver medal and £2 to Henry Houghton, joiner, in acknowledgement of their noble conduct in assisting to rescue, at the peril of their lives, seven of the crew of the brig Era of Rochester, which was some time since wrecked off Hartlepool.”