Stanhope Forbes: The Inner Harbour - Abbey Slip Penzance, 1921

Stanhope Forbes was an artist and a founding member of the influential Newlyn school of painters,and was often called 'the father of the Newlyn School'. He went to Brittany in 1881 with fellow artist La Thangue, and his time in France brought him into contact with the new plein air painters, which was to significantly influence his style.

Forbes arrived in Newlyn in 1884 and soon became a leading figure in the growing colony of artists in the area. His national reputation was soon established with an exhibition of his works in 1885 at the Royal Academy in London. Along with his wife Elizabeth he founded their School of Painting in 1899, which attracted a new generation of artists to the area  including Ernest Procter and his future wife Doris Dod Shaw.

Abbey Slip is the steep cobbled street leading from Chapel Street and the town centre down to the harbour, and above is the tower of St Mary's church overlooking the Georgian houses on Chapel Street. It was painted in 1921 and has changed little over the years.

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HC-1239: card size 7" x 5" (178mm x 131mm)