1861 SUSANNAH SPURGEON. Superb Painting of Susannah Spurgeon & Her Boys. Owned Spurgeon Family.

An absolutely superb, large format, delicately executed original watercolor of the wife and children of Charles H. Spurgeon, i.e. Susannah, Thomas, and Charles. 

In 1861, Charles trotted Susannah and the lads off to Elliot Fry's studio in London to have a carte de visite photograph produced of his "first church," i.e. his family. A partial example is reproduced here. This was the same year as the opening of the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

It seems that at the same time, Spurgeon had an unidentified artist present to capture an original likeness of the family, likely for his own use. It may well have been intended for somewhere in Spurgeon's office, to remind him of his original calling as husband and father. 

Spurgeon preached very little on what today we might today call "practical" subjects. Marriage and parenting were frequent exceptions. On these themes, he glowed. 

Regarding marriage:

. . . where there is true and genuine love, marriage is the sweetest and happiest mode of living. It is one of the blessings of paradise which has been preserved to us after the fall. 

And of his desire to see his children in faithful service to the King:

O that the line may continue for years to come, till as long as generations are born there shall be one of our kith and kin to carry the standard and sound the trumpet and fight for the Lord of Israel.

This work was originally purchased with a small cache of the original watercolours by Thomas Spurgeon many years ago in London. It is almost certainly from the Spurgeon family as described above. Indeed, it would be difficult to conceive of who else would have commissioned such a work during the period. 

Interestingly, there are a few variations in the painting from the photographic carte de visite. Thomas' hair is looking a bit less like he just got in a tussle with his brother and his hand is not on his hip. Susannah is more forward facing and holds a book in her arms that is absent in the photograph. 

A delightful object. Perfect for a Spurgeon archive or collection, or for the Spurgeon loving pastor's office who also seeks to be reminded, during the midst of heavy labors, of his first and dearest calling. 

18 x 23.5 inches on stiff board in a very good state. Painted on a finished sheet with texture detectible largely at highlights and lowlights of white, black, etc., Some adhesive around edge from matting that is covered by matting now. Inscribed on the rear, Mr. Payne, Guildhall. Perhaps it was used for the Baptist Union exhibition, Mr. Payne being Ernest Alexander Payne, The History of the Baptist Union. Matted under a gold foil matting and in a period frame. We have had the glass replaced with archival museum glass and the backing replaced with acid free materials for conservation purposes. 

Absolutely lovely.