Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Spencer, Gervase
SPENCER, GERVASE (d. 1763), miniature-painter, began life as a servant in a gentleman's family. Having a taste for drawing, he obtained leave to copy a miniature portrait of one of his master's family, which was so successful that his master encouraged and assisted him to pursue his studies as an artist. Eventually Spencer was able to practise for himself, and attained such a pitch of excellence that he became one of the fashionable miniature-painters of the day. He worked both on ivory and in enamel, and his miniatures are carefully and artistically finished. He exhibited occasionally with the Society of Artists. Spencer was acquainted with Sir Joshua Reynolds, who painted his portrait in the act of painting. Spencer made an etching of this himself, and a few other etchings by him are known. He died in Great Marlborough Street, London, on 30 Oct. 1763. He left a daughter, Mrs. Lloyd, at whose death in 1797 Spencer's remaining works and collections were sold by auction by Hutchins in King Street, Covent Garden.
[Edwards's Anecdotes of Painters; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1893; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Propert's Hist. of Miniature-Painting.]