ALFRED WALLIS (1855-1942)

Alfred Wallis returned to his favourite subjects time and time again, most notably St Ives Bay and as in this case Mount’s Bay, the bay on which Penzance is situated. (For a discussion of Mount’s Bay see Alfred Wallis Artist and Mariner by Robert Jones, pp. 58-71). Mount’s Bay is readily identifiable by the black tower-like structure in the top left hand corner of this painting, which is St Michael’s Mount. In the bottom left hand corner is Penzance harbour, and the white lighthouse at the top is the Lizard. This is a large expanse of water and the picture has a chart like quality, due to Wallis being an experienced sailor who knew these waters well. He has also included the Gear Pole, a small marker which indicates treacherous rocks visible at low tide. (For another picture with the Gear Pole see Mount’s Bay with St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall in Leeds Art Gallery). The angle of the trawler and the white water suggests it is sailing into a rough sea.