DAYDREAMING GIFT OF GEORGE
OF PENLEE WALTER BEDNAR’S
HOUSE LANGLEY LATEST
PICTURES DONATION
The Newsletter of the Friends of Penlee House Volume 3/Issue 9/June 2009
125 years ago this year, Stanhope
Forbes arrived in Newlyn to find a
burgeoning art colony. Inspired by
time in Brittany, he was filled with
enthusiasm for painting rural realist
subjects ‘en plein air’, using a flat,
square brush to capture transient
effects of light on his canvas. In
Newlyn, he joined a group of young
artists with whom he shared such
a fellowship of values, subjects
and style that he dubbed them ‘the
brotherhood of the palette’. This
group of artists, who posed to have
their photographs taken around that
time, soon became known as the
‘Newlyn School’.
This summer’s exhibition at Penlee
House includes important examples Memories, 1885 by Walter Langley Birmingham City Museums and Art Gallery
of work by the artists depicted in
the now famous group photographs was shown at the Royal Academy in the School internationally famous. Over
– including Forbes, Langley, Harris, 1885 made Newlyn famous and led the years, the term ‘Newlyn School’ has
Tuke, Tayler, Wainwright, Bodilly, yet more artists to the village. The often been misapplied to anyone even
Millard, Bramley, Fletcher and Todd – exhibition The Brotherhood of the Palette vaguely associated with this area of
and offers an insight into the unifying includes this iconic painting alongside Cornwall, regardless of date and style:
values that makes them a true ‘School’ other major works, such as Frank this exhibition aims to show what the
in art historical terms. Bramley’s ‘Primrose Day’ (Tate), Walter term means in its strictest sense and
The acclaim Forbes received when his Langley’s ‘But Men Must Work and to offer visitors the chance to revel in
painting ‘Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’ Women Must Weep’ (Birmingham Art the glory-years of rural realist painting.
Gallery) and Forbes’s ‘Off to the Fishing Many of the works are on loan from
Grounds’ (Walker Art Gallery). Also public and private collections, including
included are the series of cartoons of several which have rarely, if ever, been
the artists by Fred Hall (Tate Archive), shown publicly in Cornwall before, so
which evoke the personalities of these don’t miss the chance to view them.
long-dead painters. As well as the Supported by Ecclesiastical Insurance
‘brothers’ featured in the photographs, (specialists in heritage and art
ARTeFACT is published three times a other key Newlyn School figures, insurance), The Brotherhood of the
year by and on behalf of the Friends including Elizabeth Forbes, Norman Palette is on show from 20 June to 12
of Penlee House. All correspondence Garstin and Caroline and Thomas September. Fittingly, the show will
should be directed to: Cooper Gotch are also included. coincide with the launch of the long-
Richard Clement, Editor, ARTeFACT, Although Penlee House is renowned awaited Dictionary of Artists in Newlyn
Penlee House Gallery & Museum,
for exhibitions including the Newlyn and West Cornwall 1880 - 1940 edited by
Morrab Road, Penzance, Cornwall
TR18 4HE Tel 01736 363625 School, this exhibition will be the first Melissa Hardie (Sansom & Company),
email: artefact@penleehouse.org.uk major survey show in over 20 years to a vitally important source-book for all.
focus on the early works which made
Artefact June.indd 1 01/06/2009 10:41:18
A SPECIAL DONATION TO PENLEE HOUSE
This is the story behind a watercolour of Newlyn by an
artist who died in Penzance. In 2008, I had been working
on the 3rd edition of Every Corner was a Picture, my
compilation of the names and key dates of 150 artists of
Newlyn and the Newlyn Art Colony 1880 – 1900 (Truran
Books, to be published June 2009).
When I visited the Edwin Harris exhibition at Penlee
House, I bought the Truran biography to read on the
train back to London. I got a shock when I found the
list of twenty-five artists, said to be principal members
of the Newlyn Colony, yet I recognised only eight of the
names! It turned out that the names were taken from a
list, published in a local newspaper, of the thirty principal
contributors to the January 1884 West Cornwall Art Old Quay, Newlyn, 1887 by Harry John Williams
Union (WCAU) exhibition held in Penzance. But I had Penlee House Gallery & Museum - The George Bednar Donation
already began basic research for my book, and decided delight when I discovered that both the 1901 Penzance
to include at least the four WCAU artists who had strong newspapers had printed a notice of death, with the name
Cornish connections. A reference book told me that a Harry John Williams!
Henry Williams had exhibited two pictures in 1874, from a Having bid successfully, John collected the picture
Penzance address. Searching through the probate records, early on Thursday, so we both had good news to share!
I found that an artist called Henry John Williams had died Minutes later, having asked his wife, Valentine, to double-
in Penzance, in 1901. I then found the corresponding check, John phoned back to confirm that the signature
registration of a birth in London, in 1854. I received was, in fact, Harry J Williams!
copies of the certificates in April. This completed the I e-mailed Truran Books to amend my entry. I also
entry for my book, or so I thought. e-mailed Penlee House, and although Alison Bevan had
A note in my diary reminded me of an auction in Cornwall not seen the picture, I think that she could sense how
on Wednesday 17 December. Although it was not much this donation meant to me. It was collected by the
illustrated in the catalogue, I noticed the details: ‘Harry Gallery and I was sent an e-mail image, but finally got my
Williams, ‘Old Newlyn,’ watercolour, signed and dated 1887’. first view of the painting on 5 March 2009, when I visited
Not for the first time, Newlyn-born John Foster Tonkin the timely exhibition A Village in Focus: Newlyn.
came to the rescue. He went to the preview on Tuesday, I am sure that titles by Henry (John) Williams, such as ‘Fish
and was impressed with the picture. He confirmed the Trawlers leaving Mount’s Bay’ (WCAU, 1877), or ‘Mount’s Bay
date and signature, and said that the subject was not Fishing-boats in a Stiff Breeze’ (WCAU, 1884) would grace
the village itself, as the title suggests, but the iconic old any gallery wall, but, for me, no picture by Harry John
harbour. John was unable to attend the evening auction, Williams could compete with his 1887 watercolour, ‘Old
so we left a bid. On the morning of the sale, I went to Quay, Newlyn!’
the newspaper section of the British Library. I could not
find an obituary, but you can imagine my surprise and George Bednar, Honorary Friend
GIFT IN MEMORY OF LANGLEY’S GRANDDAUGHTER
Penlee House has recently received the gift of four watercolours, two pastels and three charcoal studies by Walter Langley,
together with various items of ephemera, which have been generously donated by Dendy Easton in memory of Joan
Northcott, Walter Langley’s granddaughter (the daughter of Walter Lorraine, Langley’s eldest son). The pictures include
the delightful painting entitled ‘The Past’ ( bove left), and watercolour studies such as ‘Cottage Steps, Newlyn’ (above right),
as well as sketches of local fisherfolk. Joan struck up a friendship with Dendy over their mutual love of paintings, and
Dendy has very kindly conserved and framed these works before presenting them to Penlee House in her memory.
‘The Past’ is currently on display as part of the exhibition ‘A Cornish Perspective’ on show at the Royal West of England
Academy in Bristol until 5 July.
Artefact June.indd 2 01/06/2009 10:41:26
SOCIAL HISTORY GALLERY REDISPLAY
We are delighted to announce that Penlee House has secured Heritage Lottery
funding to completely refurbish the Social History gallery and enable the public
to have access to many more of the area’s historic objects and to find out
about the stories they hold. The refurbishment will take place later this year
(reopening to the public on 5 December) and will greatly increase the number of
objects on display. It will also make the museum space much more flexible, so
small temporary exhibitions can be staged in response to community demand.
In tandem with this, Penlee House’s website will receive a complete overhaul
to include much more about the collections, and we hope to include a special
‘Friends’ section.
Leading up to the redisplay, internationally-renowned poet and artist Sally
Crabtree will be working with us on the ‘Object Project’, which aims to encourage
people in the local community to engage with their heritage and to use objects
to explore the area’s history. There will be workshops with artists, animators,
songwriters, poets and film makers in schools and within the local community, THE MAGIC OF A LINE
aiming to discover interesting objects that can then be used as the inspiration
for the contents of the Cabinet. Do you have an interesting object? The Object Proudly announced by Penlee
Project would be delighted to discover what it is that’s fascinating about it and ‘The Magic of a Line’
what makes it precious to you. Does it have a story to tell? Is it something you A unique exhibition of
found? Something your granny used? Perhaps you have something but you drawings by the master painters
don’t even know what it is? Familiar and well loved
in oils and watercolour
To find out more or to get involved, come along to the Object Project Travelling here in new guise
Roadshow on 22 August 2009 at The Centre, Newlyn, anytime between 10.30am Pencil, charcoal, drypoint etching
and 4.30pm where you can meet experts from Penlee House, the Royal Cornwall
Museum and the University of Exeter who can tell you more about your object Beauty stares up at me
and give advice about how to care for it in the future. There will also be a daydreaming from the preview card
‘Guess the Object’ quiz and a chance to meet the practitioners and take part in Beauty indeed this charcoal study
workshops. ALL OBJECTS WELCOME! 124 years old yet forever young
Penlee House staff would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in getting The artist’s skill ensures this
involved. If you are willing to help with the Object Project or would like to The lines curl into my heart
find out more, please contact Sally Crabtree by email at sally@thepoetree. Incredible, unmissable
net or phone 01736 731592. Or if you are interested in the redisplay of the I cannot resist.
Social History gallery at Penlee House, please contact Alison Bevan at abevan@ Plans made
penleehouse.org.uk or on 01736 363625. Anticipation growing
Excitement, expectation
speeding the days away
The pencil line pulls tighter
drawing together all
news in brief
NEW TOWN CLERK need to be filled to ensure that Friends who love its magic
David Gallie has recently retired receive their preview invitations, Here I stand in awe
from the post of Town Clerk, after copies of Artefact, etc. Usually done Reality surpassing anticipation
seventeen years overseeing the work of on a Tuesday morning, the occasion Transported now to another world
Penzance Town Council – a task which is as much social as business, where Real for the moment
includes being our Director’s boss. like-minded Friends gather for two 124 pictures from a bygone age
During that time, he took a lead role or three hours, sipping coffee and Every one owns its story
in the redevelopment of Penlee House chatting, while carrying out the
and its surrounding park, and has positively therapeutic task of filling 21st century onlooker
worked tirelessly for the town. Held the envelopes. If you are willing to totally enthralled
in high esteem by staff and Friends help, please call Ron on 01736 362876 Visual time capsules
alike, we were sorry to lose him, but or leave a note at the Gallery. gifted across the years
warmly welcome his successor, Simon Every line weaves its magic
Glasson, who comes to the post from TREASURER/MEMBERSHIP creating the whole frozen in time
a previous role as Committee Clerk at SECRETARY to intrigue and delight
Penwith District Council. The Friends Rosalie Ginn has recently resigned Reluctant to leave
offer sincere thanks to David for all his from her post as Membership when day draws to a close
work for Penlee House, and we look Secretary and Treasurer, and I am sure with heart full of joy
forward to working with Simon in the all Friends will join in thanking her for and memories forever
future. her years of hard work on their behalf. and magic etched deep
Thanks are also due to our Vice Chair, in my daydreams
PLEA FOR ENVELOPE STUFFERS! Richard Clement, for covering these
roles until the AGM, ably assisted by June Robinson, March 2009
Our Secretary, Ron Hogg, is still
Ray Fitton who was co-opted onto (June travelled 806 miles to see
desperately looking for Friends to join
the Committee in December and has The Magic of a Line exhibition
his envelope-stuffing team. About six
nobly agreed to stand as Treasurer. and said it was worth every mile!)
times per year, nearly 1000 envelopes
Artefact June.indd 3 01/06/2009 10:41:27
ARCHAEOLOGY IN PENWITH TOUR, 22 JUNE 2009
The distinguished archaeologist Nicholas Thomas has kindly agreed to do FRIENDS LECTURE
a ‘re-run’ of one of the excellent tours he ran for the BAfM conference.
Centred on St Buryan, the tour will move from the Merry Maidens stone
PROGRAMME 2009/10
circle with its dramatic outliers, to St Buryan, whose church also lies All lectures take place at
within a circular enclosure. En route, we shall look at wayside crosses. 7.30pm at Penlee House
Then on to Brane and a short walk to the prehistoric settlement of Carn (unless otherwise stated).
Euny, whose fogou is one of Cornwall’s great treasures. Here we can
also look inside the remains of an early miner’s cottage with its tiny dairy Pre-booking is essential -
and outside privy. We shall end up with a light tea in Newlyn at the tour please telephone 01736 363625.
leader’s home. Meet at Wherrytown car park, opposite the Carlton and
Beachfield Hotels at 2pm. Finish about 5pm. Cost of ticket £5.00. This 2009
tour is limited to twelve people, so please book early. To book, call Tessa
Garside on 01736 874747.
Tuesday 15 September
FRIENDS TO MEET FRIENDS Martin Clark
Director, Tate St Ives
The Committee is supporting another two Coffee Mornings in the
second half of this year with the express purpose of enabling Friends Tuesday 13 October
to meet other Friends. All Friends are welcome, both those who have Magdalen Evans
been before and those who have not yet ventured. And we would like Curator of the Marianne Stokes
to extend a special welcome to those who may be new to the Gallery: do
come and meet fellow enthusiasts.
exhibition
Come for ‘elevenses’ from 10:30 to 12:30. Your hosts and the dates are Tuesday 10 November
Pamela Lomax and Ron Hogg at Wheal Betsy, Chywoone Hill, Newlyn David Tovey
on Wednesday 12 August 2009, and Margaret Rogers in Zennor in Social History of St Ives
September. Further details of the latter Coffee Morning will be published
on posters to be displayed at Penlee House. Numbers are limited to twenty
on each occasion and there is a modest charge of £1.50, partly to cover Tuesday 8 December
costs but mainly as a donation to the Gallery, as our Constitution does not Jeremy Le Grice
allow us to hold any social event without an element of fundraising. If Talking about his painting career
you are interested in coming to either or both of these Coffee Mornings,
please contact Janeve Bainbridge on 01736 753720 to reserve your place. 2010
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF MUSEUMS (BAfM) Tuesday 9 February
CONFERENCE Julia Twomlow / Jack
Doherty
After the resounding success of last year’s Conference here in Penzance, The Leach Pottery
the Friends of York Art Gallery have a hard act to follow this year.
The 2009 Conference and AGM will be held in York over the weekend
Tuesday 9 March
of 2 to 4 October 2009. Delegates attending the Conference will be
Viv Hendra
provided with a ‘York Passport’ allowing free entrance to a number of
Opie’s ‘Old Kneebone of Helston’
the most popular attractions in the City. On the Sunday there will be
visits to Castle Howard and Cannon Hall (including a chance to meet Eric
Knowles of the Antiques Roadshow). The theme of the Conference this Tuesday 13 April
year is ‘Challenge and Change’. The Speakers will be considering how the John Branfield
institutions Friends support may respond to challenge and change given A Marriage of the Arts: The
the present economic climate. The Speakers include Janet Barnes (Chief Garniers
Executive of the York Museums and Galleries Trust), Tony Reeves (Chief
Executive of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council), Lord Tuesday 11 May
Faulkner of Worcester (Chairman of the Railway Heritage Committee) Libby Buckley
and Dea Birkett (‘Kids in Museums’). Porthcurno Telegraph Museum
For more details of the Conference Weekend and to obtain a Booking
Form you can access the BAfM Website (www.bafm.org.uk) or telephone Wednesday 2 June (7.00pm)
Richard Clement on 01736 731940. AGM
Venue to be confirmed
Followed by a lecture:
JOIN OUR FRIENDS! Desmond Shawe-Taylor
Did you pick up this copy of Artefact while visiting Penlee House? The Royal Collection
If you joined the Friends, you would receive it through the post, direct
to your home address, along with invitations to previews and notice of
special Friends events. Membership costs just £12 single, £18 double,
and is a great way of both enjoying and supporting Penlee House, so pick
up a leaflet and join today!
Artefact June.indd 4 01/06/2009 10:41:27