Visitors to Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance will be spoilt for choice with three new exhibitions on offer this winter. And, as is usual in the run up to Christmas, admission to the Gallery is completely free.
On show are over fifty rarely-seen paintings by Frederic Stuart Richardson (1855 – 1934) on loan to the Gallery from a private collection. ‘The Art of Frederic Stuart Richardson’ showcases the work of this Bristol-born artist who trained as a civil engineer before embarking on a career in art. He studied in Paris alongside John Singer Sargent and was encouraged by the eminent Victorian artist Luke Fildes. On leaving Paris, Richardson established himself as a professional artist in Sandy, Bedfordshire. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, with forty-nine works exhibited over thirty-seven years from 1885 to 1922. In 1897, he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour; other accolades followed, including election to the Royal West of England Academy. He was a member of the ‘Bristol Savages’ art group from 1917 to 1934, becoming its President in 1923.
Director Louise Connell says, “Richardson specialised mainly in landscape and genre scenes and travelled widely; Cornwall was a favourite destination. Although he received recognition within his life time, his name is less-known today. This superb array of oil paintings and watercolours will appeal to those who enjoy traditional British art.”
Richardson also made regular painting trips to Scotland, and Yorkshire, where he formed an association with the artists’ colony in Staithes. Here, he met Laura and Harold Knight, who stayed in this Yorkshire fishing port between 1895 and 1909, just before they came to live in Newlyn.
Also on display are over thirty-five nostalgic photographs dating from the late 19th and early 20th century. ‘The Gibson Dynasty: Pioneers of Photography’ focuses on the work of the Gibson family of photographers who made their name on the Isles of Scilly and also had a busy shop and studio in Penzance. John Gibson (1827 – 1920) was an early adopter of this new medium, assisted by his sons Herbert and Alexander. Their pictures document the working lives of the people of West Cornwall as well as showing their passion for observing the ancient landscape.
Once again, Penlee House is hosting the annual selling exhibition of work by the talented group, Cornwall Crafts. The show includes a wealth of items by some of Britain’s leading craftspeople, including exquisite jewellery, colourful and functional ceramics, carved and turned wood, hand-made glass and exuberant textiles. This is the chance to find an exceptional gift for a loved-one or a unique acquisition for yourself, and all items are available to purchase and take away on the day. Penlee House Gallery & Museum is open Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays) from 10.00 to 4.30, with last admission at 4.00pm, but will be closed 24 to 27 December inclusive and 1 January 2018.
