Arguably the most famous painting held at Penlee House Gallery & Museum is ‘The Rain it Raineth Every Day,’ Norman Garstin’s marvellous evocation of Penzance promenade on a wet day, prints of which have been spotted in places ranging from Disney World, Florida, to the wall of a Johannesburg hotel bedroom. While this painting is known and loved all over the world, less is known about its polymath creator and his hugely talented family.
Born in Ireland, Norman Garstin first set out to be an engineer, then an architect, then a diamond prospector, before finally deciding on a career as an artist, studying in both Paris and Antwerp. In 1883, while still a student, he fell in love with Louisa Jones (known as Dochie), the daughter of a widow whose portrait he had been commissioned to paint.
Norman and Dochie married in 1886 and soon travelled to Newlyn to join the burgeoning art colony. They set up permanent home in Penzance three years later and had three children, Crosbie (born 1887), Denis (born 1890) and Alethea (born 1894), each of whom was to show a distinct creative talent.
Like his father, Crosbie had an eclectic start to working life, working variously as a horse breaker, thresher, lumber sawyer and cattle ranch manager in America, Canada and Africa. On the outbreak of the First World War, he enlisted in the King Edward’s Horse, serving at the Western Front and in Ireland (following the Easter Rising).
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During the War, Crosbie began writing and this career blossomed in the years thereafter. He wrote poems and articles, but is best known for his novels, in particular the Penhale trilogy – Owls House, The West Windand High Noon, ripping adventure yarns set in Cornwall. Tragically, this career was cut short as Crosbie drowned in a boating accident in 1930, aged 43.
Second son Denis also served in the War, surviving involvement at Ypres, Theipval, Albert and Loos and going on to be posted to St Petersburg to carry out propaganda work. He, too, showed literary talent, writing a book about his experience in the trenches entitled The Shilling Soldiers, published in 1918 to great acclaim. Sadly, Denis died the same year, killed in an action that earned him the MC and DSO, along with two Russian medals.
In contrast to her brothers, Alethea lived a long and hugely productive life, dying in Zennor in 1978, aged 84, and is still remembered locally with much affection. Taught by her father, her confident handling of paint and lively compositions prompted Patrick Heron to describe her in 1978 as “England’s leading Impressionist” and her work as “as good as Vuillard”.
In 1978, a touring exhibition of paintings by Norman and Alethea was shown at The Penwith Gallery, St Ives; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery; The Fine Art Society, London, and the National Gallery of Ireland. The Talented Garstins will be the first major exhibition since then and will incorporate many works not seen in public for over 30 years. Over 50 of Norman Garstin’s paintings will be on display, including works on loan from Tate, London, and Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow, plus around 60 works by Alethea, together with artefacts and photographs relating to Crosbie and Denis.This exhibition is the first ever survey of the family as a whole, and the first time Penzance has paid tribute to these remarkable local talents. On view until 4 June, it is a show not to be missed.
