Penlee House Gallery and Museum in Penzance adds Marianne Stokes painting to collection

A charming 19th century painting by Austrian artist Marianne Stokes has been added to Penlee House Gallery and Museum's collection. Lantern Light, by the renowned member of the Cornish art world, was purchased by the museum with support from the Art Fund.

The painting depicts a young boy polishing glasses in a dark room illuminated with light from a lantern. Set in the St Ives Arts Club, the intimate portrait beautifully captures the glow of the light and its delicate reflections on the glassware.

The Art Fund contributed £17,250 towards to the total cost of the £37,250 painting. Stephen Deuchar, Director of the Art Fund said: “This acquisition ensures that Penlee House will be able to offer the public a unique chance to the view this important artist's painting within a geographical and art-historical context.”

Stokes began her artistic education in Munich, went to France in 1883 to the join the "en plein air" social realist movement, travelled around Europe and had relocated to Cornwall by 1886.

The painting is not dated but was shown at the Royal Academy in 1888 and in the Walker Art Gallery’s autumn exhibition the same year, before touring to Birmingham and then around Australia.

Penlee House’s Director Alison Bevan said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer the public the chance to see this leading international artist’s work here in Cornwall, an area she made her home for a key period of her career.”