Henry Scott Tuke, R.A., R.W.S. (1858-1929)

Tuke executed several watercolours of this subject around this time, the most notable being A Morning Catch (R931) featuring Charlie Mitchell, Jack Hone and Colin Kennedy sorting the fish they have just caught on a beach in Falmouth.

The present watercolour depicts a young man returning from line fishing. Line fishing from small boats sustained many individuals in Falmouth, including Tuke, especially during the First World War when food was rationed. The model is probably Charlie Mitchell (1885-1957) who lived in Falmouth and modelled for Tuke from 1900 to 1929, or it could be Jack Hone who also visited Tuke in Falmouth in the summer of 1920.

We are grateful to Catherine Wallace for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.