in 1912 spencer exhibited the painting "john donne arriving in heaven" and some drawings in the british section of the "second post-impressionist exhibition" organised by roger fry in london. the same year he painted "the nativity". for which he won a slade composition prize and he also began painting "apple gatherers", which was shown in the first contemporary art society exhibition the following year. in 1914 spencer completed "zacharias and elizabeth" and "the centurion's servant". the latter painting featured not only spencer himself as the servant, but also his brothers and the bed from his own nursery. he also began work on a self-portrait. "self-portrait" (1914) was painted in wisteria cottage, a decaying georgian house spencer rented, from the local coalman in cookham, for use as a studio. painted with a mirror, the painting is bold and austere with a direct and penetrating gaze, softened by the deep shadow on the right hand side – the head fills the picture space and is painted one and a half times life size. "apple gatherers" had been bought by the artist henry lamb, who promptly sold it to the art collector edward marsh. marsh later bought "self-portrait" and considered it to be "masterly...glowing with genius."