Visitors to Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Penzance are spoilt for choice with three new exhibitions on offer this winter. And, as is usual in the run up to Christmas, admission to the gallery is completely free.

On show are over 50 rarely-seen paintings by Frederic Stuart Richardson on loan from a private collection. The Art of Frederic Stuart Richardson showcases the work of this Bristol-born artist who trained as a civil engineer before embarking on a career in art. He studied in Paris alongside John Singer Sargent and was encouraged by the eminent Victorian artist Luke Fildes.

On leaving Paris, Richardson established himself as a professional artist in Sandy, Bedfordshire. He was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, with 49 works exhibited over 37 years from 1885 to 1922. In 1897, he was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour; other accolades followed, including election to the Royal West of England Academy. He was a member of the ‘Bristol Savages’ art group from 1917 to 1934, becoming its president in 1923.

Gallery director Louise Connell said: “Richardson specialised mainly in landscape and genre scenes and travelled widely; Cornwall was a favourite destination. Although he received recognition within his life time, his name is less-known today. This superb array of oil paintings and watercolours will appeal to those who enjoy traditional British art.”

Also on display are over 35 nostalgic photographs dating from the late 19th and early 20th century. The Gibson Dynasty: Pioneers of Photography focuses on the work of the Gibson family of photographers who made their name on the Isles of Scilly and also had a shop and studio in Penzance.

Once again, Penlee House is hosting the annual selling exhibition of work by the talented group, Cornwall Crafts. The show includes a wealth of items by some of Britain’s leading craftspeople.