Originally entitled The Wet Day, Norman Garstin changed this to the more poetic The Rain It Raineth Every Day – a Shakespearean line found in both Twelfth Night and King Lear. The wet pavement, full of soft reflected colour, seems to owe much to French painting but the composition shows Garstin’s interest in Japanese art. It was for these reasons that the painting was not well received by the Royal Academy. Garstin eventually gifted the painting to Penzance Town Council, where it languished in the basement of the Town Hall for fear that the rather dreary scene would deter tourists. Ironically, it is now one of the most well-loved works in Penlee’s collections and prints of it have been seen all over the world (including in the American sitcom Friends).
Art UK Shop and Penlee House Gallery & Museum have selected this piece as part our special edition Curator’s Choice range.
Framed print details
- Dimensions: 42cm x 34cm
- Materials: wood and acrylic
Artwork information
The Rain It Raineth Every Day by Norman Garstin (1847–1926)
Penlee House Gallery & Museum
Photo credit: Penlee House Gallery & Museum
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