Studio: international art (89.1925)

WILL C. PENN, R.O.L 000

THE exhibition of the works of Will
C. Penn, R.O.L, at Walker's Galleries
which opened on April 3rd and closes on
April 30th, should bring into increased
prominence the painting of a strong and
individual artist in portraiture and other
subjects. Will Penn is an old student of
the Royal Academy Schools, now resident
in the North of England, and having a
prominence in Lancashire only limited by
the ability of Lancashire to understand
his peculiar and varied gifts. He is an
able and comprehensive craftsman, spar-
ing no pains in the attainment of his ends.
He is primarily a portrait painter, and in
portraiture his determination to get away,
whenever possible, from the stereotyped
conventional, indicates his imagination.
His sincerity is proved by his versatility—
it is only the insincere or incapable artist
who fears to dare versatility. 0 0
Although Mr. Penn's personal charac-
teristics run through varied themes—in

portraits, interiors, still life or landscape,
and in oil paint, bronze or water-colour—
the themes are varied. No one of them is
hammered out ad nauseam. 00a
Such an artist never stands still, but
is ever striving, ever enlarging his powers,
with a masculinity of endeavour endlessly
unsatisfied. Our tired business men may
allow brain and muscle to rest. An artist
who would be worthy of the name never
can. It is certain, for instance, that Will
Penn is a finer painter now than he was
when, in July, 1922, a previous article on
his work appeared in The Studio, though
his painting still shows that foundation
in literal truth, that mental tribute to
Velasquez and the Dutch masters which
is a part of his natural outlook. In the
portraits, to be seen in strength at the
exhibition, the unison of human dignity
with effort along tracks other than the one
hard beaten by the majority of English
portrait painters should exemplify the aims
and achievement of a fervent and fine
painter. Jessica Stephens.

GLITTER. BY WILL
C. PENN, R.O.I.

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