Never-Before-Seen Self-Portrait By English Artist Norman Cornish Discovered Hidden On The Back Of One Of His Paintings

This self-portrait of the 20th-century English artist was hidden directly on the reverse of his painting Bar Scene.

Claire Collinson PhotographyThe newly discovered self-portrait of Norman Cornish (1919-2014).

It was every conservator’s dream. While Bowes Museum conservator Jon Old was examining a painting by 20th-century English artist Norman Cornish ahead of a new exhibition, he stumbled upon a hidden self-portrait on the back.

Old described the discovery of the never-before-scene portrait as “magical.” Now, this piece will go on display as part of an exhibition featuring Cornish’s work.

The Accidental Discovery Of This Hidden Norman Cornish Self-Portrait

According to a statement from the Bowes Museum, located in northeastern England’s County Durham, museum conservator John Olds was examining a Cornish painting called Bar Scene when he noticed something unusual about it.

Claire Collinson PhotographyThe surprise self-portrait was found behind this Norman Cornish painting, Bar Scene, which was acquired by the Durham County Council in 1961.

“The painting had a back board set into its stretcher that appeared to be resting on the back of the painting, which I thought was unusual,” Old explained. “So, I decided to remove the board to see if it was affecting the painting, and to my surprise it revealed this wonderful other painting on the reverse, which was quite magical. I felt very privileged to have been the first person since Norman Cornish to see this self-portrait and look forward to the reaction of our visitors when they see it too.”

The discovery was thrilling for everyone at Bowes Museum.

“A member of our team came dashing excitedly down the corridor to spread that news and, just that moment of buzz, of finding something you didn’t know existed – of that happening here – is so incredibly thrilling for all of us!” Bowes Museum Director of Programmes and Collections Vicky Sturrs told All That’s Interesting in an email. She added: “It’s a bit of a wow moment. To know that we have found something that adds to the catalogue of Cornish’s work… is so exciting.”

The museum noted that while the self-portrait seems to show Cornish “in his younger days,” it’s unclear where the painting fits into his “wider chronology.” What we do know is that it stands as the 29th known self-portrait by Cornish.

Northumbria UniversityAnother self-portrait of Norman Cornish. The newly discovered portrait stands as the 29th known self-portrait that the artist painted.

The revered English artist died in 2014, and this portrait is part of a new exhibition at Bowes Museum, where his work is being featured alongside that of LS Lowry.

The Story Of Norman Cornish, Miner Turned Artist

Spennymoor Town Council Norman Cornish in an undated photograph.

Norman Cornish, born in 1919, is considered one of the most important artists to emerge from the northeast of England in the 20th century. His artwork captures working class life, from pub tableaux like Bar Scene, to the simple image of his wife peeling potatoes, aptly called Sarah Peeling a Potato.

Cornish had an intimate knowledge of such life. Before he became a renowned painter, he worked as a miner. His mining career started when he was just 14 and continued for decades until he started to develop pain in his back. Cornish then decided to take a chance on art instead.

The University Gallery, Northumbria UniversityCornish, who had intimate knowledge of a miner’s life, painted scenes like this one, entitled Pit Road.

He was a “mystic with a total grasp of what makes matter vibrate, from coal to colliery rows, from the workings 1,500 feet below ground to the bus stop and the chapel at the end of the street. In himself as well as in his work a prime example of being with it and staying with it,” the novelist Sid Chaplin, a contemporary of Cornish, once told The Guardian.

But could Cornish have hid more secret portraits behind his paintings? Sturrs thinks it’s possible.

“Cornish was a prolific artist and, like Rembrandt van Rijn, painted self-portraits throughout his life,” she told All That’s Interesting. “We know that there are artworks on the reverse of some of the other works in our Kith & Kinship exhibition… I have no doubt that there are others. I’m really interested in the fact that this was covered by the artist, that he re-used the canvas instead of finishing this one. Perhaps it was a practice, perhaps he didn’t like it, perhaps he was trying out a new technique?”

Sturrs continued: “There’s a real movement of brushstroke here – it feels quick and agile – there’s an energy in the line that I love. It’s also Cornish in his younger years so I’m always interested in where this fits within the artist’s chronology and development of style. Perhaps new discoveries, as I’m sure there will be more, will add to that timeline.”

After reading about the surprise self-portrait of Norman Cornish discovered behind another painting, discover the stories behind nine paintings that are allegedly cursed. Then, discover the story of Walter Sickert, the English painter who some believe may have been Jack the Ripper.