Penlee House Gallery & Museum
@penleehousegallery.bsky.social
Penlee House is Cornwall's only public Gallery, specialising in the Newlyn School artists. It is the artistic heart of West Cornwall's history, a space to relax, explore, and discover.
Open Monday - Saturday
Owned and operated by Penzance Council
Open Monday - Saturday
Owned and operated by Penzance Council
Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is emotion. We chose Bramley’s "A Hopeless Dawn" (1888), a poignant scene of a wife and mother at daybreak as hope fades. Ruskin’s words at the RA spoke of sorrow, courage, and a guiding hand through every “hopeless dawn.”
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is emotion. We chose Bramley’s "A Hopeless Dawn" (1888), a poignant scene of a wife and mother at daybreak as hope fades. Ruskin’s words at the RA spoke of sorrow, courage, and a guiding hand through every “hopeless dawn.”
Today, we're celebrating Crossed Fingers Selfie Day for the #NationalLottery's Birthday 🤞
Over the years, Penlee House has gratefully received support to extend and make its collections accessible from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (formerly Heritage Lottery Fund).
Over the years, Penlee House has gratefully received support to extend and make its collections accessible from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (formerly Heritage Lottery Fund).
November 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Today, we're celebrating Crossed Fingers Selfie Day for the #NationalLottery's Birthday 🤞
Over the years, Penlee House has gratefully received support to extend and make its collections accessible from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (formerly Heritage Lottery Fund).
Over the years, Penlee House has gratefully received support to extend and make its collections accessible from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (formerly Heritage Lottery Fund).
On this day in 1857, Stanhope Alexander Forbes was born.
Dubbed ‘the father of the Newlyn School’, Forbes’s painting ‘A Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’, 1885, brought national recognition to the art colony and the school of painting he founded with his wife Elizabeth.
Dubbed ‘the father of the Newlyn School’, Forbes’s painting ‘A Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’, 1885, brought national recognition to the art colony and the school of painting he founded with his wife Elizabeth.
November 18, 2025 at 10:13 AM
On this day in 1857, Stanhope Alexander Forbes was born.
Dubbed ‘the father of the Newlyn School’, Forbes’s painting ‘A Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’, 1885, brought national recognition to the art colony and the school of painting he founded with his wife Elizabeth.
Dubbed ‘the father of the Newlyn School’, Forbes’s painting ‘A Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’, 1885, brought national recognition to the art colony and the school of painting he founded with his wife Elizabeth.
Discover the life and work of Biddy Picard (1922–2019) — an artist whose unmistakable evocations of West Cornwall have captivated local and national audiences for decades.
“The works on the canvas are just parts of one’s whole life.” – Biddy Picard, Paul, 2005
penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/b...
“The works on the canvas are just parts of one’s whole life.” – Biddy Picard, Paul, 2005
penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/b...
November 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Discover the life and work of Biddy Picard (1922–2019) — an artist whose unmistakable evocations of West Cornwall have captivated local and national audiences for decades.
“The works on the canvas are just parts of one’s whole life.” – Biddy Picard, Paul, 2005
penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/b...
“The works on the canvas are just parts of one’s whole life.” – Biddy Picard, Paul, 2005
penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/b...
✨ Exciting evening ahead! ✨
Maisy-Sky, Katie S, and Katie H are proudly representing Penlee House at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2025 tonight 🏆
We’re thrilled to be nominated for Small Tourism Attraction of the Year — fingers crossed! 🤞💛
#CornwallTourismAwards #PenleeHouse #Penzance
Maisy-Sky, Katie S, and Katie H are proudly representing Penlee House at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2025 tonight 🏆
We’re thrilled to be nominated for Small Tourism Attraction of the Year — fingers crossed! 🤞💛
#CornwallTourismAwards #PenleeHouse #Penzance
November 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
✨ Exciting evening ahead! ✨
Maisy-Sky, Katie S, and Katie H are proudly representing Penlee House at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2025 tonight 🏆
We’re thrilled to be nominated for Small Tourism Attraction of the Year — fingers crossed! 🤞💛
#CornwallTourismAwards #PenleeHouse #Penzance
Maisy-Sky, Katie S, and Katie H are proudly representing Penlee House at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2025 tonight 🏆
We’re thrilled to be nominated for Small Tourism Attraction of the Year — fingers crossed! 🤞💛
#CornwallTourismAwards #PenleeHouse #Penzance
Recent Acquisition 🖼️
Sheltering from the Sun by Elizabeth Adela Forbes ARWS (1859–1912)
This beautiful watercolour and gouache on linen board captures a quiet, sunlit moment of rest and human connection. The work was generously bequeathed to the collection by Fay Juliet Huleatt-Boyd in 2025.
Sheltering from the Sun by Elizabeth Adela Forbes ARWS (1859–1912)
This beautiful watercolour and gouache on linen board captures a quiet, sunlit moment of rest and human connection. The work was generously bequeathed to the collection by Fay Juliet Huleatt-Boyd in 2025.
November 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Recent Acquisition 🖼️
Sheltering from the Sun by Elizabeth Adela Forbes ARWS (1859–1912)
This beautiful watercolour and gouache on linen board captures a quiet, sunlit moment of rest and human connection. The work was generously bequeathed to the collection by Fay Juliet Huleatt-Boyd in 2025.
Sheltering from the Sun by Elizabeth Adela Forbes ARWS (1859–1912)
This beautiful watercolour and gouache on linen board captures a quiet, sunlit moment of rest and human connection. The work was generously bequeathed to the collection by Fay Juliet Huleatt-Boyd in 2025.
This seemed like a very appropriate image for today! 💨🌧️
Gurnard's Head No. 2, 1947, by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Purchased with funding from @artfund.bsky.social & the Friends of Penlee House.
Gurnard's Head is an outcrop of rock near Zennor, and also the name of a pub popular with artists.
Gurnard's Head No. 2, 1947, by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Purchased with funding from @artfund.bsky.social & the Friends of Penlee House.
Gurnard's Head is an outcrop of rock near Zennor, and also the name of a pub popular with artists.
November 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This seemed like a very appropriate image for today! 💨🌧️
Gurnard's Head No. 2, 1947, by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Purchased with funding from @artfund.bsky.social & the Friends of Penlee House.
Gurnard's Head is an outcrop of rock near Zennor, and also the name of a pub popular with artists.
Gurnard's Head No. 2, 1947, by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Purchased with funding from @artfund.bsky.social & the Friends of Penlee House.
Gurnard's Head is an outcrop of rock near Zennor, and also the name of a pub popular with artists.
Reposted by Penlee House Gallery & Museum
“The Cliffs near Land's End”
Robert Morson Hughes (1873 - 1953)
I love the dramatic scene. The stark, sculptural cliffs & the breaking waves of the sea.
Owned by Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornwall
Seen at @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
#Art #NewlynSchool
Robert Morson Hughes (1873 - 1953)
I love the dramatic scene. The stark, sculptural cliffs & the breaking waves of the sea.
Owned by Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornwall
Seen at @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
#Art #NewlynSchool
October 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“The Cliffs near Land's End”
Robert Morson Hughes (1873 - 1953)
I love the dramatic scene. The stark, sculptural cliffs & the breaking waves of the sea.
Owned by Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornwall
Seen at @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
#Art #NewlynSchool
Robert Morson Hughes (1873 - 1953)
I love the dramatic scene. The stark, sculptural cliffs & the breaking waves of the sea.
Owned by Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornwall
Seen at @penleehousegallery.bsky.social
#Art #NewlynSchool
This week’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is Spooky Art 👻
We have chosen Death the Bride by Thomas Cooper Gotch.
From a dark sea of blood-red poppies, a spectral bride emerges — veiled in black, crowned with white flowers, her pale smile hovering between innocence and eternity.
We have chosen Death the Bride by Thomas Cooper Gotch.
From a dark sea of blood-red poppies, a spectral bride emerges — veiled in black, crowned with white flowers, her pale smile hovering between innocence and eternity.
October 30, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This week’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is Spooky Art 👻
We have chosen Death the Bride by Thomas Cooper Gotch.
From a dark sea of blood-red poppies, a spectral bride emerges — veiled in black, crowned with white flowers, her pale smile hovering between innocence and eternity.
We have chosen Death the Bride by Thomas Cooper Gotch.
From a dark sea of blood-red poppies, a spectral bride emerges — veiled in black, crowned with white flowers, her pale smile hovering between innocence and eternity.
🍂 Half Term Fun at Penlee House! 🎨👩👧👦 Free drop-in workshops:
🪓 29 Oct | Greenstone Axeheads & Historic Farming | 11am–2pm
🎨 30 Oct | Picard People Painting | 1:30–3:30pm
Hands-on art, history & family fun! #HalfTerm #FamilyFun #Cornwall
🪓 29 Oct | Greenstone Axeheads & Historic Farming | 11am–2pm
🎨 30 Oct | Picard People Painting | 1:30–3:30pm
Hands-on art, history & family fun! #HalfTerm #FamilyFun #Cornwall
October 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🍂 Half Term Fun at Penlee House! 🎨👩👧👦 Free drop-in workshops:
🪓 29 Oct | Greenstone Axeheads & Historic Farming | 11am–2pm
🎨 30 Oct | Picard People Painting | 1:30–3:30pm
Hands-on art, history & family fun! #HalfTerm #FamilyFun #Cornwall
🪓 29 Oct | Greenstone Axeheads & Historic Farming | 11am–2pm
🎨 30 Oct | Picard People Painting | 1:30–3:30pm
Hands-on art, history & family fun! #HalfTerm #FamilyFun #Cornwall
🎨 Help us keep Walter Langley’s Cornish Fisherfolk in Cornwall! Penlee House needs your support to raise £25,000 and save this treasured painting for future generations. 💙
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/appeal-langl...
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/appeal-langl...
October 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🎨 Help us keep Walter Langley’s Cornish Fisherfolk in Cornwall! Penlee House needs your support to raise £25,000 and save this treasured painting for future generations. 💙
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/appeal-langl...
friendsofpenleehouse.org.uk/appeal-langl...
It was a pleasure to welcome Patrick Grant to Penlee House today for a quick look around our new exhibitions — and to admire the stunning 1920s Crysede fabric and garments.
Thank you, Patrick, for visiting — and for making Maisy-Sky and Jo’s day! 👏🧵💫
Thank you, Patrick, for visiting — and for making Maisy-Sky and Jo’s day! 👏🧵💫
October 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
It was a pleasure to welcome Patrick Grant to Penlee House today for a quick look around our new exhibitions — and to admire the stunning 1920s Crysede fabric and garments.
Thank you, Patrick, for visiting — and for making Maisy-Sky and Jo’s day! 👏🧵💫
Thank you, Patrick, for visiting — and for making Maisy-Sky and Jo’s day! 👏🧵💫
This week's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is #autumn 🍂 We have chosen Autumn Sunlight, Sennen Cove, Cornwall by Dame Laura Knight, which is owned by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
October 23, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This week's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is #autumn 🍂 We have chosen Autumn Sunlight, Sennen Cove, Cornwall by Dame Laura Knight, which is owned by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
📚 New in the Gallery Shop: A Painter Laureate (Second Edition)
We’re thrilled to announce the release of A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and His Circle by Austin Wormleighton, published posthumously by Whitefox Publishing (£39.99).
penleehouse.org.uk/product/a-pa...
We’re thrilled to announce the release of A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and His Circle by Austin Wormleighton, published posthumously by Whitefox Publishing (£39.99).
penleehouse.org.uk/product/a-pa...
October 22, 2025 at 10:07 AM
📚 New in the Gallery Shop: A Painter Laureate (Second Edition)
We’re thrilled to announce the release of A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and His Circle by Austin Wormleighton, published posthumously by Whitefox Publishing (£39.99).
penleehouse.org.uk/product/a-pa...
We’re thrilled to announce the release of A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and His Circle by Austin Wormleighton, published posthumously by Whitefox Publishing (£39.99).
penleehouse.org.uk/product/a-pa...
Upcoming lecture! Heroines in War: Women War Artists and the Depiction of Women’s Role in the Second World War with Catherine Wallace.
🗓 Wednesday 19th November, 2.30 pm
📍 The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟 £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-he...
🗓 Wednesday 19th November, 2.30 pm
📍 The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟 £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-he...
October 17, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Upcoming lecture! Heroines in War: Women War Artists and the Depiction of Women’s Role in the Second World War with Catherine Wallace.
🗓 Wednesday 19th November, 2.30 pm
📍 The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟 £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-he...
🗓 Wednesday 19th November, 2.30 pm
📍 The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟 £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lecture-he...
🍂 Autumn at Penlee House 🍂
This autumn, explore two captivating exhibitions celebrating Cornwall’s rich artistic heritage: Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate and Biddy Picard: Timeless Penwith. 🎨
Plus, don’t miss a selection of Newlyn School works in the downstairs galleries.
This autumn, explore two captivating exhibitions celebrating Cornwall’s rich artistic heritage: Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate and Biddy Picard: Timeless Penwith. 🎨
Plus, don’t miss a selection of Newlyn School works in the downstairs galleries.
October 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
🍂 Autumn at Penlee House 🍂
This autumn, explore two captivating exhibitions celebrating Cornwall’s rich artistic heritage: Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate and Biddy Picard: Timeless Penwith. 🎨
Plus, don’t miss a selection of Newlyn School works in the downstairs galleries.
This autumn, explore two captivating exhibitions celebrating Cornwall’s rich artistic heritage: Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate and Biddy Picard: Timeless Penwith. 🎨
Plus, don’t miss a selection of Newlyn School works in the downstairs galleries.
👻 Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is ghosts. Our pick: Alfred Munnings’ The Haunted Room (1952). Unusually eerie for Munnings, it depicts a spectral presence by a bed said to have a sinister past—haunting viewers and critics alike when first shown at the Royal Academy.
October 16, 2025 at 10:03 AM
👻 Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is ghosts. Our pick: Alfred Munnings’ The Haunted Room (1952). Unusually eerie for Munnings, it depicts a spectral presence by a bed said to have a sinister past—haunting viewers and critics alike when first shown at the Royal Academy.
Join the Friends of Penlee House for a lecture about the life and career of S.J. Lamorna Birch
📅 Date: Monday 20th October
🕝 Time: 2.30 pm
📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ Tickets: £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
👉 Book now to secure your place!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lecture-....
📅 Date: Monday 20th October
🕝 Time: 2.30 pm
📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ Tickets: £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
👉 Book now to secure your place!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lecture-....
October 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Join the Friends of Penlee House for a lecture about the life and career of S.J. Lamorna Birch
📅 Date: Monday 20th October
🕝 Time: 2.30 pm
📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ Tickets: £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
👉 Book now to secure your place!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lecture-....
📅 Date: Monday 20th October
🕝 Time: 2.30 pm
📍 Venue: The Queen’s Hotel, Penzance
🎟️ Tickets: £7 Friends | £15 Non-Friends
👉 Book now to secure your place!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../lecture-....
We’re delighted to share that Stanhope Forbes’s masterpiece The Seine Boat (1904) is once again on display at Penlee House!
On long-term loan, this stunning work captures the rhythm of Cornish life — the ‘seine’ net seen in the boat was used for catching pilchards.
On long-term loan, this stunning work captures the rhythm of Cornish life — the ‘seine’ net seen in the boat was used for catching pilchards.
October 13, 2025 at 9:50 AM
We’re delighted to share that Stanhope Forbes’s masterpiece The Seine Boat (1904) is once again on display at Penlee House!
On long-term loan, this stunning work captures the rhythm of Cornish life — the ‘seine’ net seen in the boat was used for catching pilchards.
On long-term loan, this stunning work captures the rhythm of Cornish life — the ‘seine’ net seen in the boat was used for catching pilchards.
Exhibition rehang period: 6- 15 October 2025 📣
During an exhibition rehang, closing some of the galleries is necessary. The downstairs galleries will be closed from 6 -15 October 2025. The Museum and Gallery 5 will be open with a selection of Newlyn School works.
During an exhibition rehang, closing some of the galleries is necessary. The downstairs galleries will be closed from 6 -15 October 2025. The Museum and Gallery 5 will be open with a selection of Newlyn School works.
October 6, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Exhibition rehang period: 6- 15 October 2025 📣
During an exhibition rehang, closing some of the galleries is necessary. The downstairs galleries will be closed from 6 -15 October 2025. The Museum and Gallery 5 will be open with a selection of Newlyn School works.
During an exhibition rehang, closing some of the galleries is necessary. The downstairs galleries will be closed from 6 -15 October 2025. The Museum and Gallery 5 will be open with a selection of Newlyn School works.
We’re thrilled to announce that Penlee House Gallery & Museum has been named a Finalist in the Cornwall Tourism Awards - South West 2025/26 for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year🏆✨
A huge thank you to our amazing team, volunteers, and visitors who make Penlee such a special place 💛
A huge thank you to our amazing team, volunteers, and visitors who make Penlee such a special place 💛
October 3, 2025 at 11:07 AM
We’re thrilled to announce that Penlee House Gallery & Museum has been named a Finalist in the Cornwall Tourism Awards - South West 2025/26 for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year🏆✨
A huge thank you to our amazing team, volunteers, and visitors who make Penlee such a special place 💛
A huge thank you to our amazing team, volunteers, and visitors who make Penlee such a special place 💛
Throwback Thursday 📸
Penzance Promenade, c.1910
Gibson & Sons
A photograph of the promenade with three stylish ladies approaching the photographer. The sea railings were replaced with a new design in 1896, and the whole area was paved in the following year.
Penzance Promenade, c.1910
Gibson & Sons
A photograph of the promenade with three stylish ladies approaching the photographer. The sea railings were replaced with a new design in 1896, and the whole area was paved in the following year.
October 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Throwback Thursday 📸
Penzance Promenade, c.1910
Gibson & Sons
A photograph of the promenade with three stylish ladies approaching the photographer. The sea railings were replaced with a new design in 1896, and the whole area was paved in the following year.
Penzance Promenade, c.1910
Gibson & Sons
A photograph of the promenade with three stylish ladies approaching the photographer. The sea railings were replaced with a new design in 1896, and the whole area was paved in the following year.
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is ‘Celebrations and Unveilings’, and we’re delighted to mark The Harris reopening with Gala Day at Newlyn, Cornwall, by Stanhope Alexander Forbes.
This painting beautifully captures Cornish community life and celebration!
This painting beautifully captures Cornish community life and celebration!
October 2, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Today's @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is ‘Celebrations and Unveilings’, and we’re delighted to mark The Harris reopening with Gala Day at Newlyn, Cornwall, by Stanhope Alexander Forbes.
This painting beautifully captures Cornish community life and celebration!
This painting beautifully captures Cornish community life and celebration!
Today is World Dream Day💤, and it’s the perfect occasion to share one of our visitors' favourite paintings—a delightful depiction of a sleepy donkey titled "Forty Winks" by Frederick Hall.
September 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Today is World Dream Day💤, and it’s the perfect occasion to share one of our visitors' favourite paintings—a delightful depiction of a sleepy donkey titled "Forty Winks" by Frederick Hall.
Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is animals! 🐴🐕 Our choice is Alfred Munnings’ Lamorna Inn (1915), featuring landlord Mr Jory, his mare Bess, & Taffy the terrier. Munnings later added himself leaning in the doorway to this lively Cornish scene. @munningsartmuseum.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Today’s @artukdotorg.bsky.social #OnlineArtExchange theme is animals! 🐴🐕 Our choice is Alfred Munnings’ Lamorna Inn (1915), featuring landlord Mr Jory, his mare Bess, & Taffy the terrier. Munnings later added himself leaning in the doorway to this lively Cornish scene. @munningsartmuseum.bsky.social