A rustic fisherman in a weathered hat and apron stands indoors, holding some coins. Wicker baskets surround him. The setting feels warm and cosy.
Work of the Week: Mental Arithmetic (c.1883) by William John Wainwright. An elderly fisherman counts coins—echoing Thomas Cooper Gotch’s work. A shared model also appears in Walter Langley’s early paintings.
A woman peacefully sleeps on a bed, wearing a light dress. She's lying on her side with a relaxed expression, set in a calm, softly lit room.
On this day in 1890, Dod Procter was born. She trained in Cornwall and Paris, gaining fame in the 1920s for her striking female figures, including Morning. Later, her work evolved to landscapes and still life. She lived and worked in West Cornwall until her death aged 80.
Head Study of the Old Pilot by William John Wainwright ⚓
Anita shares insights into this evocative study and Wainwright’s brief but impactful time in Newlyn. The work captures character, experience, and the quiet dignity of life by the sea.
https://youtu.be/5mzZLXVn_mA?si=Fs4LptR_NvkNOelh
Kernow, y'm kolon bys vykken ❤️
A large group of children and one adult with Coco the Clown pose happily outside a cinema. The mood is joyful and playful on a sunny day.
Throwback Thursday 📸
Coco the Clown outside the Ritz Cinema, 1957. Here he was presenting road safety badges and certificates to the children. He was made bankrupt due to tax arrears; he received hundreds of contributions from children who sent sixpences and shillings to alleviate his distress.
A harbour scene with a fisherman holding a rope and a sail, speaking to two women above. Boats with red/brown sails are anchored in a harbour. The mood is industrious and communal.
Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange explores artists from working-class backgrounds for [uz], [uz], [uz].
We’ve chosen Between the Tides by Walter Langley. Langley, who came from a poor, working-class background himself, was deeply moved by the lives of coastal communities.
A serene coastal scene at sunset, featuring numerous sailboats on calm water. The foreground features lush greenery and rooftops, with a town and a church spire in the distance beneath a colourful sky.
Work of the Week: St Ives, Evening by William Banks Fortescue. A Newlyn School artist, he trained in Paris, settled in St Ives, and captured coastal life. Donated to Penlee House in 2024.
Only a week to go! 📣 Join us for an evening exploring Harry Penhaul’s powerful images of post-war Penwith, with photojournalist Greg Martin sharing insights from 20+ years behind the lens.
📅 21 April | 🕢 7.30pm
📍 Queens Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ £7–£15
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/events/talk-...
Sign for Wellfields Car Park under a blue arrow, with Penzance Council logo. Closure notice for April 2026. Background shows trees and cloudy sky.
🚧 Friendly Reminder for Visitors 🚧
If you’re planning a visit to Penlee House, please note that the Wellfields Car Park will be closed on Tuesday 14th April and Wednesday 15th April for essential annual maintenance.
🅿️ The nearest alternative is St John’s Hall Car Park, just a short walk away.
Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829)
After Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830)
Jenny explores this striking portrait and the remarkable life of Sir Humphry Davy—one of Britain’s most celebrated scientists, from ground-breaking discoveries to his influence on both science and society.
Portrait of a young girl with long brown hair and a serious expression, painted in warm tones. She wears a white garment, framed in ornate gold.
🎨 Easter fun this Thursday!
Join our FREE Arty Afternoons: Self-Portrait with a Fancy Frame (1:30–3:30 pm). Learn to draw a face, create your own portrait, make a golden frame & even dress up for a photo!
📍 Penlee House Gallery & Museum
#EasterHolidays #FamilyFun
Picking daffodils, 1950s. Mrs Ruth Wallis, née Ruth Hosking Williams, holding a basket of newly cut daffodils. From Skewjack, near Sennen, Mrs Wallis later lived at Roskestal Farm, St Levan. In the 1950s and ‘60s the daffodils were always picked in full bloom to send away. Nowadays, they are harvested in bud.
Rescued seal, St Ives, 1956. A baby seal, who washed up three times in St. Ives and Hayle, seen on the sofa with artist Robert Brennan. It was finally rescued from Porthgwidden beach in November 1956 and Mr Brennan put it in his bath for safe keeping, before the RSPCA took it to Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital.
Lighthouse Keeper relieved from duty, Wolf Rock, 1950s. Lighthouse keeper J. S. Hughes being relieved from duty at Wolf Rock. Hughes is perilously transported from the lighthouse to a Trinity House relief vessel via a system of ropes and pulleys. This was the only way of getting people on and off the lighthouse. Three lighthouse keepers at a time would serve a two-month spell of duty, but as the transfer was weather dependent going home could sometimes be delayed by bad sea conditions.
Geevor miners, 1950s. Miners Dickie Dodd and Joe Wall in front of Victory Shaft with its newly installed steel headgear and electric winder. In Douglas Williams’s book West Cornwall Camera this image is captioned “A typically robust study of two Geevor tin miners”.
⏳ Ending Sat 18 April!
Don’t miss Harry Penhaul: Life Through a Lens — a one-room show of 1950s West Cornwall portraits. Discover the work of “Flash Harry,” a beloved local photographer, featuring rare and unseen images.
#LastChance #Photography #LocalHistory
Oil painting of Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall, 1922 by Stanhope Forbes, depicting a sunlit coastal village scene viewed from Adit Lane with a panoramic harbour and rolling countryside in the background. In the foreground, a farmer leads two brown draft horses pulling a cart along a dusty rural road, while children and villagers gather and walk downhill under a large leafy tree beside a stone wall and Penwith gate. Whitewashed cottages with chimneys dot the hillside, leading toward a sandy shoreline, boats, and calm blue water reflecting soft clouds. The composition conveys a warm, nostalgic pastoral atmosphere with golden light, impressionist brushwork, and themes of rural life, community, and post-war remembrance in early 20th-century Cornwall.
Work of the Week! 🖼
On Paul Hill, 1922 by Stanhope Forbes
A sunlit view of Newlyn Harbour filled with hope—yet in the distance, the newly built Cenotaph stands as a quiet tribute to lives lost in WWI.
#WorkOfTheWeek #ArtHistory
Keslowena 🎉
Simon reflects on Elizabeth Forbes’ inspiration, drawn from legends and folklore, and how these narratives subtly shape the atmosphere and character within the painting.
A beautiful blend of portraiture and myth—where imagination meets observation
Black and white photo of a bustling coastal village with vintage cars parked near a row of stone houses. People gather around, mingling and enjoying the scenic view.
Happy Easter Weekend 🐣 Lamorna Cove, c.1950–55 by Harry Penhaul (1914–1957). This scene may show the Good Friday walk from Penzance, Mousehole & Newlyn to Lamorna—a pilgrimage that later became a social occasion for young people to meet.
For those not based in the PZ area, a Friends of Penlee House membership is a wonderful way to stay connected and support the gallery. You can find out more at friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk
The Easter bonnet was added using Photoshop by our former apprentice as a bit of seasonal fun. We’re sorry we didn’t make that clear in the original post and really appreciate you pointing it out. Hopefully it still brought a little smile, even if it wasn’t quite what it first seemed! 👒🐥
Hello. I'm afraid the Pz pass is only for Residents of Penzance, Gulval, Heamoor, Mousehole, Newlyn and Paul.
A painted portrait of a young person wearing a red scarf and a brown outfit. They have a straw hat adorned with yellow flowers, eggs, and small toy chicks. The tone is gentle and thoughtful.
🐣 Penlee House Gallery & Museum and The Orangery Café are open Good Friday, Easter Saturday & Easter Monday (closed Easter Sunday).
The Penzance Pass gives FREE year-round entry for local residents—bring proof of address to get yours in person.
Text reads: 2nd April: ‘Music’ for A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music at the Foundling Museum @foundlingmuseum 9th April: ‘Ancient art’ for Gladiators of Britain and Uncovering Roman Carlisle: Where Worlds Met at Tullie - Museum & Art Gallery @tulliecarlisle / @tulliecarlisle.bsky.social 16th April: ‘Artists from working class backgrounds’ for Artists from Working-Class Backgrounds at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds Uni Library Galleries @lulgalleries / @lulgalleries.bsky.social 23rd April: Spring 30th April: ‘Women artists’ for Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art at Penlee House Gallery & Museum @penleehousegallery / @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
Tomorrow's #OnlineArtExchange theme is 'music' for A Grand Chorus at Foundling Museum 🎶
Here are the rest of our April themes.
It's simple to take part, choose an an artwork from artuk.org that fits the theme and use the hashtag to take part every Thursday on Bluesky and Instagram 🌟
Text reads: 2nd April: ‘Music’ for A Grand Chorus: The Power of Music at the Foundling Museum @foundlingmuseum 9th April: ‘Ancient art’ for Gladiators of Britain and Uncovering Roman Carlisle: Where Worlds Met at Tullie - Museum & Art Gallery @tulliecarlisle / @tulliecarlisle.bsky.social 16th April: ‘Artists from working class backgrounds’ for Artists from Working-Class Backgrounds at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds Uni Library Galleries @lulgalleries / @lulgalleries.bsky.social 23rd April: Spring 30th April: ‘Women artists’ for Making Her Mark: A Celebration of Women in Art at Penlee House Gallery & Museum @penleehousegallery / @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
Our April #OnlineArtExchange themes are here!
It's simple, choose an artwork from artuk.org that fits the theme and use the hashtag to take part every Thursday on Bluesky and Instagram 🌟
🎙️ Did you catch us on the radio this week?
We were thrilled to be mentioned on BBC Cornwall in An Nowodhow – the News in Cornish!
Have a listen on BBC Sounds and listen out for us 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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#Kernewek #Cornish #RadioCornwall #BBCSounds
Vintage watercolour painting of Penzance promenade, Cornwall seaside scene with people strolling along wide stone walkway, Victorian-era buildings and pavilion on left, colourful figures in summer clothing, children and couples enjoying coastal view, red and green railing overlooking calm blue harbour with small sailboats, seabirds flying above water, bright sky and soft pastel tones, historic British seaside town illustration with visible text “Promenade, Penzance” in lower corner.
No, this isn’t an April Fool’s… we promise!
Penlee House is officially on Summer hours! ☀️
We’re open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM).
Longer days, more time to visit—sounds like a win to us! See you soon.
#SummerHours #NotAnAprilFool #Penzance
Simon explores this compelling portrait and delves into the relationship between two artists—Weatherby and Gardiner—shedding light on their shared creative world and influences.
A family in focus 🎨 James Jewill Hill by Stanhope Forbes, alongside portraits by Harold Harvey, tells a story across generations. Jenny explores the sitters’ lives, revealing personality, relationships, and moments in time—offering a glimpse into family and portraiture.
youtu.be/BVRPVwVE1X4?...
A small boat with a brown sail navigates choppy, teal waves near a rocky coastline under a cloudy sky, exuding a serene yet adventurous mood.
Work of the Week! Off Gurnard's Head, Cornwall, 1886 by David James (1853-1904). Two luggers approach Gurnards Head in a choppy sea.
Working mainly in oil, he painted powerful seascapes inspired by the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, and southern England, later exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London.
Chris reflects on this striking artwork and the journey that brought Fuller to St Ives—a place that shaped both his teaching and painting.
“I hardly know which gives me most pleasure – painting or teaching. I enjoy having the students around me – I find I can learn quite a lot from them.”
Three women are bent over picking tulips in a vast, colourful field by the coast. The scene conveys a sense of peace and productivity under clear skies.
Guided Tour: Discover the Sheila Hichens Collection at The Steward’s House on St Michael’s Mount with art historian Catherine Wallace.
Hosted by Friends of Penlee House. 24 March at 2 pm. £20 Friends/£25 GA.
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/events/guide...
Self-Portrait by Patricia Algar (1939 - 2013) Acrylic on board. A woman in a red dress sits beside a table with a lamp and colourful flowers. The background is filled with green foliage, conveying a serene tone.
Work of the Week! Self-Portrait by Patricia Algar (1939 - 2013) Acrylic on board Penlee House - donated in 2023.
She started visiting Cornwall in the mid 1960s, before returning to Cornwall, she settled in Marazion, where she continued to paint and exhibit until she died in 2013.
