Penlee House Gallery & Museum’s collections date back to 1839, when the Penzance Natural History and Antiquarian Society was founded and began collecting items of interest. Since then, it has continued to acquire items, with an increasing emphasis on collecting paintings and artefacts relating to the history and culture of West Cornwall.
Ever since 1839, building the collections of items available for public enjoyment has depended on the generosity of individuals, who have given or bequeathed items, or the money to purchase items, to the Gallery and Museum. This autumn, Penlee House is saying a public ‘thank you’ to these benefactors by showing some of the things it has been given, left in wills or helped to purchase over the past ten years.
Some benefactors are anonymous, but many of the purchases made with the assistance of the Friends of Penlee House have been made with the very generous help of one or two particular individuals who give large sums of money towards the purchase of particular paintings. One benefactor’s name – George Bednar – appears time and time again, as he has donated or assisted with the purchase of well over 20 items to Penlee House. George Bednar also gives his time and expertise to thorough research about the Newlyn colony (published in ‘Every Corner was a Picture’), which is a gift of no less value, and a further publication, listing over 100 of the Newlyn artists with their correct names, dates of birth and death and other relevant facts, is to be published by Truran shortly (proceeds to the West Cornwall Art Archive).
The exhibition will include a wide range of different items, including fine and decorative art, social history and archaeology.
The fine art will range from paintings by Newlyn School artists such as Harold Harvey, Laura Knight and Ernest Procter, through works by leading late 20th century Cornish painters such as John Miller, John Piper, Donald Swan , Bob Vigg, Michael ‘Mouse’ Roberts’, Kurt Jackson, and John Emanuel.
Decorative art will include items of Cryséde, Troika, Leach pottery and Newlyn and Hayle copper, while social history items range from an inscribed drinking glass from the ‘Penzance Palace and Skating Rinks Ltd’ to the engineer’s half-model used for the building of the SS Lyonnesse by Harvey & Co, Hayle (launched in 1889).
Incorporating many items not displayed previously, alongside some which have become firm favourites, this exhibition will truly offer ‘something for everyone’: don’t miss it!
