Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Sir Elton John Loans Paintings For Exhibition Of Cornish Artist Sponsored By Bonhams

Eleven Paintings On Loan From Sir Elton John’s Collection Of Henry Scott Tuke’s Work

Bonhams is sponsoring a major exhibition of Henry Scott Tuke’s work, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the artist’s birth. The retrospective exhibition entitled “Catching the Light” will take place at two separate venues in Cornwall – the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro and the Falmouth Art Gallery. More than 130 works by Tuke will go on show, including eleven pieces which have been kindly lent by Sir Elton John. The exhibition, which goes on view from Saturday 3 May 2008, is co-sponsored by Bonhams and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sir Elton John has been an avid collector of Henry Scott Tuke’s work since the 1980s and as such many of the artist’s most important pieces have remained in the UK. Eleven works from the singer’s private collection will be shown at the exhibition, giving the public the opportunity to view paintings by Tuke that have never been displayed before. In addition to Sir Elton John’s paintings, other works by Tuke have been lent by the Royal Academy, the Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery making this the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s work to date.

Henry Scott Tuke was one of the most important artists of the Newlyn School in Cornwall. His paintings typically celebrate male youth and beauty and reflect the artist’s lifelong love of the sea. Although Tuke’s work was sadly neglected for some years after his death, his importance to Cornwall, and to British Art in general, is now widely acknowledged.

The artist drew an immense amount of inspiration from Cornwall, living for a time in Newlyn and then making Falmouth his home. He bought a cottage overlooking Falmouth Bay in 1886, from which he could paint the varied shipping in the harbour, and later purchased an old fishing boat, the Julie of Nantes, which he converted into a floating studio. Although later in his life Tuke travelled extensively, he died, in 1929, in his beloved Falmouth and is buried in the cemetery there.

Bonhams will hold a Valuation Day in conjunction with the exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro on Wednesday 14 May. Experts from several of Bonhams departments, including 19th and 20th Century Paintings, Prints and Contemporary Ceramics, will be available to value items.

Exhibition Dates:

Henry Scott Tuke: Catching the Light A Retrospective
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
Saturday 10 May to Saturday 12 July

Catching the Light: The Sunshine Paintings of Henry Scott Tuke
Falmouth Art Gallery
Saturday 3 May to Saturday 12 July

Valuation Day Details:

Bonhams Cornish Art Valuation Day
Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
Wednesday 14 May 10.30am – 3.30pm
Specialists available:
19th Century Paintings – Peter Rees
20th Century Paintings – Matthew Bradbury
Prints – Robert Kennan
Contemporary Ceramics – Marijke Jones
General Valuations – Roger Tappin

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *