Cart Gallery

Blacksmiths shop at Godolphin Cross, Cornwall. Early 1900s

A group of men outside the blacksmith's shop at Herland Cross in Godolphin Cross. On the left is George Reynolds standing on a granite block used for fixing iron bands to waggon wheels. He spent many years abroad mining in South America, possibly Chile. Astride the horse is Harry Magor (possibly Meagor) of Carleen. He was a teamster who drove teams of up to thirty horses taking timber to boatyards and mines. He carried the large poles used at Poldhu, Mullion in Marconi's experimental wireless station (in 1901). In the donkey trap is Streamer John, a tin streamer who extracted tin from the tailings of mine-workings and supplemented his income by selling vegetables from his trap. The blacksmith is William Rowe with his dog Ben. Photographer: Unknown

© From the collection of the RIC

Study for the carter in The Lighting Up Time, Stanhope Forbes (1857-1947)

Oil on canvas, Newlyn School, late 19th century. The Lighting Up Time was completed in 1902 and there are several studies for different elements of the painting in existence. This portrait of a young man holding a lighted lantern, standing by his horse and cart, is one of the studies. The final version is now in a private collection. Born in Dublin, Stanhope Forbes is regarded as the founder and leader of the Newlyn School. He attended Lambeth School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools before studying at Bonnat's studio in Paris in 1881. He settled in Newlyn in 1884 and stayed for the rest of his life. Together with his wife Elizabeth, he taught many of the next generation of artists at their school of painting. Norman Garstin, in an article on Stanhope Forbes, wrote that no one has done so much to hold the little community of Newlyn together as Mr Stanhope Forbes

© RIC

River Street, Truro, Cornwall. Around 1905

View down River Street showing the Truro Savings Bank and Baptist Chapel, later to become the Royal Cornwall Museum. The architect of both buildings was Philip Sambell (1798-1874). The Savings Bank was built in 1847 and closed in 1894. The building then became Henderson's School of Mining in 1897. The School of Mining closed in 1907 and the Royal Institution of Cornwall purchased the building in 1908 to house their growing collections. The interior of the building underwent extensive alterations, including the demolition of the rear part to build the main gallery and a west wing was added. Truro Baptist Chapel was built in 1850. The chapel was purchased by the RIC in 1985 as an extension to the museum. Extensive refurbishment and additions followed, including the link between the two buildings. An upper floor was added to the Baptist Chapel creating the Treffry gallery. Photographer: Arthur Philp

© From the collection of the RIC