
Along Newlyn Pier 1902 by Stanhope Alexander Forbes
Stanhope Alexander Forbes 1857-1947
Framed: 78.3 x 59 cm (30 13/16 x 23 1/4 ins.)
Provenance
Sold in 1903 according to the artist's sale book (advised by Professor Kenneth McConkey).
With David Messum.
Private collector in Australia.
A wonderful record of harbour life in the very early 20th century on Newlyn's North Pier boldly painted in Forbes more impressionist and brighter style of the period. Forbes has captured a view along Newlyn North Pier (extended in 1894) towards the older Newlyn South Pier (1885) and the 15th century Newlyn Old Quay on the right of the composition, below the headland. Today Mary Williams Inner Pier (completed in 1980) would obscure the view of The Old Pier, which still exists. In Along Newlyn Pier a three-masted tall ship is moored alongside the pier, the harbour master watches on as a young fisherman with horse and cart transports the day's catch down the pier towards the market end, an elderly woman and old fisherman engage in conversation and two boys line-fish from the the pier side.
Along Newlyn Pier was painted in 1902, the year of the major retrospective of the Newlyn School at the Whitechapel Art Gallery. At the Royal Academy that year, Forbes also exhibited Chadding in Mount’s Bay, a bright, sunlit celebration of coastal life, now in the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum. The 'Father' of the Newlyn School was at the height of his powers and Along Newlyn Pier is a lovely, bold example.