ARNOLD CHRISTIEN - Truro School Teacher who died in the Great War

ARNOLD CHRISTIEN,  TRURO ARTIST

The Lander Gallery has discovered a painting by Arnold Christien, who was a Truro artist, teaching at the Truro School of Art.


His existence was known, but his work was lost and forgotten. The present painting shows considerable talent and helps establish the reputation of this significant artisist who was in his way very influential.


Christien was not a Cornishman - he had exhibited four landscapes at an exhibition of local artists at the Merehall Art Gallery, Bolton, in 1905.

By 1911, he was an assistant art master at Truro School, and in the summer term that year he became the senior art master after W.A. Rollason, the former art master, died suddenly during the Easter holidays. He also taught at the Truro School of Art. This was a separate establishment from Truro School.

With the coming of the First World War, he enlisted in 1915 and served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and the East Yorkshire Regiment. He died 30 May 1918 of pneumonia while serving on the Indian Front. His name is on the Karachi 1914-18 War Memorial in Pakistan as well as the memorial in Truro Methodist Church.

His Truro address was 3 Avondale Road, Truro (taken from a painting)

The discovery of this painting brings him back into public attention and may well lead to the disovery of further works produced in a life tragically cut short by the Great War.

 

May 4, 2018