A watercolour study
for one of Forbes's most important early works, A Street In Brittany
1881, never before seen in public is now on show at Penlee House,
alongside the finished oil painting of the subject.
Director
of Penlee House, Alison Bevan, said: "We were staggered when a member
of the public turned up with this amazing watercolour study. The owner
is from a Newlyn family, but now lives abroad, and she brought the
painting over to find out a bit more about it. She had no idea that the
finished painting - which belongs to the Walker Art Gallery in
Liverpool - was actually here. We have since authenticated the
watercolour and have added it to the exhibition at this late stage
because it was too good an opportunity to miss, having study and oil
painting reunited after more than 120 years.
"Although it is a
preparatory work for the oil painting, the watercolour is a superb
painting in its own right and I feel that certain areas of the picture
are actually superior to the finished oil painting."
The
Stanhope Forbes exhibition is the largest collection of the artist's
work to be seen in public for more than 80 years and includes works
from public and private collections throughout the UK. It continues
until September 8. Penlee House Gallery and Museum is open Monday to
Saturday, 10am to 5pm. For more details call 01736-363625 or visit www.penleehouse.org.uk
article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS