Family of Harold and Gertrude Harvey Visit Special Exhibition: Celebrating 150 Years of Cornish Artistic Legacy

Published On: 15 August 2024Last Updated: 15 August 2024By CornishStuff

In a celebration of artistic heritage, members of the Bodinnar family gathered at the Penlee House Gallery & Museum at the end of July for a special tour of an exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Newlyn School artist Harold Harvey. The exhibition, running until 29 September 2024, offers a comprehensive showcase of Harvey’s work, spanning his entire career and celebrating his deep connection with Cornwall.

A Remarkable Collection on Display

Harold Harvey, born in Penzance in 1874, was a significant figure in the Newlyn School of artists, a colony that thrived from 1880 to 1940. Known for his portrayals of Cornish life, Harvey’s work evolved from genre paintings of rustic and marine scenes to more sophisticated interiors, reflecting the changing artistic trends of his time. The exhibition at Penlee House includes over sixty examples of his paintings, offering a rare opportunity to see the breadth and depth of Harvey’s talent in one place.

Kim Conchie, a great-nephew of Gertrude Bodinnar, Harold’s wife, expressed the family’s pride in Harvey’s legacy. “As descendants of the Bodinnar side, we have been brought up knowing about Harold Harvey, the Cornish painter, and loving his paintings like The Blue Door,” Kim said. “But never have we seen such an exceptional collection and so many to admire from his different genres, all with a deep passion for Cornwall from fishing to farming, mining to lounging on the beach. The Penlee exhibition really is a delight.”

Photo: Descendants of Gertrude Harvey (née Bodinnar) visited Penlee House for a special tour

A Legacy Rooted in Cornwall

Harold Harvey’s connection to Cornwall is deeply personal. As the son of a bank manager, he grew up in Penzance and later studied under Norman Garstin before spending time in Paris. He eventually settled in Newlyn with his wife Gertrude, who was also from a large Cornish family. Although the couple had no children, their numerous great-nephews and great-nieces continue to live in Cornwall and beyond, maintaining the family’s ties to the region.

The exhibition not only highlights Harvey’s artistic journey but also positions him as a key figure within the Newlyn School, comparable to contemporaries like Stanhope Forbes and Laura Knight. His early works, reminiscent of the first generation of Newlyn artists, gradually gave way to a more decorative style, reflecting his adaptation to the evolving art world of his time.

Accompanying Publication

In conjunction with the exhibition, a revised edition of the 2001 publication Harold Harvey: Painter of Cornwall has been released. This new edition features an art-historical overview by Professor Kenneth McConkey, a biographical essay by Pauline Sheppard, and an expanded catalogue raisonné of over 800 paintings compiled by Peter Risdon. The book, published by Sansom & Co., is available at the Penlee House Gallery shop for £25.00 and is richly illustrated with over 80 full-colour images, providing a comprehensive look at Harvey’s work.

Visit the Exhibition

The Exceptional Harold Harvey exhibition is on display at Penlee House Gallery & Museum from 1st May to 29th September 2024. The gallery is open seven days a week throughout the summer, with the Orangery Café also available for visitors. Parking is free on Sundays in the Wellfields car park.

This exhibition is a must-visit for art lovers and anyone interested in the cultural history of Cornwall. It offers an unprecedented chance to explore the work of a key figure in the Newlyn School and to appreciate the enduring legacy of Harold Harvey.