Denys Spittle
Encyclopedia
Denys Spittle OBE, MA, FSA, (born: Cambridge 1920; died: 7 December 2003) studied architecture
at Pembroke College, Cambridge
, and in 1935 became a member of the “Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum”. Spittle was involved in the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University
Samothrace
Expedition of 1951 which unearthed two ancient Greek structures - a hall for votive gifts of the sixth century B.C. and a great altar court. Spittle also contributed to the reports on the preceding excavations., published in 1964 and 1982. He was Editor (in charge) Cambridge office Royal Commission for Historical Monuments, involved in studying the wall paintings at Pembroke College, of the archaeological sites of Cambridgeshire
, the archaeological sites of Northamptonshire
, as well as the historic town of Stamford he also produced illustrations. He was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1956.
Spittle was an important collector of art with an extensive collection including 25 Illuminated Manuscripts; these manuscripts originally belonged to Sir Thomas Watson, and when Watson died in 1921 he left 25 volumes, which eventually ended up in the hands of Spittle. Shortly before his own death in 2003 Spittle helped devise the (2007) exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum
, Cambridge, entitled Private Pleasures: Illuminated manuscript
s from Persia to Paris, which showcased his collection of manuscripts dating from the 10th to the 20th centuries. Highlights included a Byzantine Gospel, a Flemish Book of Hours, an Ottoman Koran and a Venetian copy of Cicero. Dr Stella Panayotova, Keeper of Manuscripts and Printed Books at the Fitzwilliam Museum and the curator of Private Pleasures, said "This exhibition celebrates the passion for medieval manuscripts, the pleasure of collecting them and the excitement of sharing them with others. We are delighted to
have the opportunity to display this selection of treasures from so personal a collection."
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, and in 1935 became a member of the “Friends of the Fitzwilliam Museum”. Spittle was involved in the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
Samothrace
Samothrace
Samothrace is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea. It is a self-governing municipality within the Evros peripheral unit of Thrace. The island is long and is in size and has a population of 2,723 . Its main industries are fishing and tourism. Resources on the island includes granite and...
Expedition of 1951 which unearthed two ancient Greek structures - a hall for votive gifts of the sixth century B.C. and a great altar court. Spittle also contributed to the reports on the preceding excavations., published in 1964 and 1982. He was Editor (in charge) Cambridge office Royal Commission for Historical Monuments, involved in studying the wall paintings at Pembroke College, of the archaeological sites of Cambridgeshire
, the archaeological sites of Northamptonshire
, as well as the historic town of Stamford he also produced illustrations. He was made a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1956.
Spittle was an important collector of art with an extensive collection including 25 Illuminated Manuscripts; these manuscripts originally belonged to Sir Thomas Watson, and when Watson died in 1921 he left 25 volumes, which eventually ended up in the hands of Spittle. Shortly before his own death in 2003 Spittle helped devise the (2007) exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum
Fitzwilliam Museum
The Fitzwilliam Museum is the art and antiquities museum of the University of Cambridge, located on Trumpington Street opposite Fitzwilliam Street in central Cambridge, England. It receives around 300,000 visitors annually. Admission is free....
, Cambridge, entitled Private Pleasures: Illuminated manuscript
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
s from Persia to Paris, which showcased his collection of manuscripts dating from the 10th to the 20th centuries. Highlights included a Byzantine Gospel, a Flemish Book of Hours, an Ottoman Koran and a Venetian copy of Cicero. Dr Stella Panayotova, Keeper of Manuscripts and Printed Books at the Fitzwilliam Museum and the curator of Private Pleasures, said "This exhibition celebrates the passion for medieval manuscripts, the pleasure of collecting them and the excitement of sharing them with others. We are delighted to
have the opportunity to display this selection of treasures from so personal a collection."