Sir Gerald Kelly had known Degas, Renoir, Monet, Rodin and Cézanne. His knowledge of art led him to become a national star in the early years of television. Towards the end of his life, as President of the Royal Academy, the work of a young student at the Royal Academy schools so impressed him that he insisted that the student use only the best quality paints, brushes and canvases, and Kelly paid for these himself.

That artist was Kenneth Newton, who became the most outstanding Royal Academy student of his generation, scooping first prizes for drawing, portrait, landscape and life painting. His painting of Winter at Guildford caused a sensation when it was shown at the Academy, and it was purchased by Kelly himself.

A collection of twenty-eight works by the artist has been donated to Falmouth Art Gallery by Mr Richard Harris, who was a friend and patron.

This exhibition shows important loans from private collections to mount the first exhibition of the artist's work to be held in the South West.

Sponsored by:
The Canterbury Auction Galleries