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Newlyn School masterpiece has been loaned Penlee House for the next three years

 

By cmjohnw  

Stanhope Forbes

'Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach' by Stanhope Forbes (1857-1947) has been lent by its owner, Plymouth City Council Arts and Heritage Service, along with several other works.

The pictures will be on loan to Penlee House for at least three years, while Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery undergoes major refurbishment.

Penlee director Louise Connell said: "When 'Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach' was exhibited at London's Royal Academy in 1885, it caused a sensation.

"People were amazed by Stanhope Forbes's technique, the mirror-like shining sands and the grey light.

"It has since become a defining work of the Newlyn School and we are delighted that it is now on display here at Penlee House."

Stanhope Forbes settled in Newlyn in 1884, having spent time studying at Bonnat's studio in Paris.

Whilst in France, Forbes learnt the revolutionary new techniques of using square-tipped brushes and painting outdoors.

This 'social realist' style was popularised by the artist Jules Bastien-Lepage who became a role model for the Newlyn painters.

He painted ordinary, working people engaged in everyday tasks.

Forbes saw Newlyn as the British equivalent of the Breton fishing towns that he knew from his art student days and a perfect place to practise these new painting methods.

Once in Newlyn, Forbes immediately started work on 'Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach'.

Originally the canvas was twice the size as it is now, but the Cornish weather meant that he had to reduce the size of the canvas to prevent it blowing away in the wind.

Forbes complained at the time about the terrible weather conditions, how he had been "blown about and rained upon" and his model had even fainted from the cold.

All his hard work paid off: the picture launched his career, put Newlyn on the artistic map and earned Forbes the title 'The Father of the Newlyn School'.

Penlee House Gallery & Museum, is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, including Bank Holidays. Last admission is at 4.30pm.

More details can be found on the website www.penleehouse.org.uk


www.cornishman.co.uk/