Falmouth

In 1881, a year before Walter Langley arrived in Newlyn, Charles Napier Hemy decided upon a full-time move to Cornwall and chose Falmouth. He built Churchfield (now the Athenaeum Club) and had a boat fitted out as a studio. In 1885 Hemy was joined by Henry Scott Tuke who had been one of the founders of the Newlyn School. Tuke took up lodgings at Pennance Cottage above Swanpool Beach and painted from there until the end of his life, 45 years later. Both men were highly accomplished marine artists and keen sailors and made the most of the opportunities afforded by Falmouth’s harbour and bays. They maintained close ties with the Newlyn and early St Ives colonies whilst also guarding their artistic independence. Other artists associated with Falmouth were William Ayerst Ingram and Frank Brangwyn.