Peter LANYON (1918-1964) Cows, 1937  Gouache on paper, Gouac...

Hammer

£2,100

Peter LANYON (1918-1964) Cows, 1937  Gouache on paper, Gouache, initialled GPL, 22.5 x 76.5cm In 1937 the 'Penzance Players', a local theatrical group, presented 'Call it a Day' by Dodie Smith at the Penzance Pavillion. The play, written in 1935, is set in London and follows the affairs of the Hilton household over the course of a day. Dorothy Hilton, the mother, was played by Peggy Bazeley, the two daughters Catherine and Ann were played by Margaret Jacobs and Christine Taylor, the father Roger by Philip Chellew and finally the son Martin was played by Peter Lanyon. The play received a glowing review in The Cornishman on November the 11th 1937 stating that Lanyon 'made a very good thing out of the high-spirited, motor-mad boy'. The family cook was played by Miss Agatha Chirgwin (who became Penzance's first female Mayor in 1955), during one of the scenes the script has her referring to the comfort of a picture of cows on the wall "I've always got my cows to look at". During this time 19-year-old Peter Lanyon was studying at The Penzance School of Art and was glad to lend his artistic skill to the production and produced this painting of cows as a prop. This work shows the confident hand of the young Peter Lanyon. It appears to be in excellent condition without foxing, creases tears or other damage. The pigment is applied quickly leaving areas without paint and pencil lines beneath can be seen. It has not been examined out of the frame.