Still life oil painting by William Charles Penn 1877-1968

A fine and interesting oil on canvas still life by the artist William Charles Penn (1877-1968). The painting is entirely focused on a silver teapot set on a table in front of what appears to be a Japanese wood block print. The technique is wonderfully free and bold, broad brushstrokes complement by the use of thick impasto to emphasize highlights. The painting is really all about shadow, reflection and light on the highly polished surface of the silver teapot. The work is not signed on the front but inscribed on the reverse. William Charles Penn (1877-1968) was a painter and hugely influential teacher at Liverpool School of Art in the inter-war years. Born in London he studied at Lambeth and City and Guilds Schools of Art from 1895, winning medals and a scholarship to Royal Academy Schools, 1900–5, subsequently he studied at Académie Julian in Paris, 1908, and in following year in Netherlands and Belgium. As well as being a member of Sandon Studios Society and Liverpool Academy, he was a full member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters from 1908 and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters from 1952. He exhibited with the Royal Academy for many years (36 works), Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts and in Liverpool Autumn Exhibitions (74 works). The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool holds several examples of his work in their permanent collection. Penn lived for many years in Birkenhead staying here for family reasons when a move to London would have seen him become a much more widely known artist. This is a very interesting work by Penn which must have formed part of his teaching students about light and reflection. The painting has been cleaned at some point and has some old small hole repairs but is in good condition. The work is framed in a simple solid oak frame dating to the period which is perfectly in keeping with an art school teaching painting. The whole is a wonderfully decorative and interesting work with a great deal of presence. C.1930.
Overall sizes in inches including frame: 17 ¼ by 16 ¼