The Art of Cornwall 1880-1975

Welcome to The Art of Cornwall 1880-1975! Join us at the Linnean Society of London for a journey through the artistic heritage of Cornwall. Explore the works of renowned artists who captured the essence of Cornwall from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. Immerse yourself in the beauty of landscapes, seascapes, and cultural scenes that have inspired generations of artists. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness the evolution of art in Cornwall over nearly a century. Get ready to be captivated by the creativity and talent that flourished in this picturesque region. See you there!

Info: Throughout the history of art particular places at particular times have inspired
intense periods of creativity. From the late 19th century, Cornwall became a focus
for a number of artists who challenged conventions, beginning with the artists’
colonies at Newlyn and then Lamorna. In the 20th century, St Ives was home to
British modernists such as Bernard Leach, Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson
who in turn inspired and were challenged by a younger generation of avant-garde
artists that included Peter Lanyon, Roger Hilton, Patrick Heron and Wilhelmina
Barns-Graham. This study day will look at the work of these artists and others who
lived and worked in Cornwall from the 1880s to the 1970s and explore their artistic
influences, relationships and legacy.

Info: 1030 -1045 Registration, 1045 - 1145 Lecture 1, 1145 - 1205 Break, 1205 - 1305 - Lunch break, 1420 - 1530 lecture 3 and questions.

Info: This lecture sets the scene for the arrival of the first generation of artists in Newlyn
and describe how the artists’ colony developed in this small Cornish fishing village in
the 1880s. It discusses the work of artists such as Stanhope Forbes, Walter Langley,
Edwin Harris and Henry Scott Tuke who were inspired by the subject matter and
light that they found in west Cornwall. In 1889 Stanhope Forbes married the
Canadian born artist, Elizabeth Armstrong and together they established the Forbes
School of Art, which attracted younger artists to Newlyn and the nearby village of
Lamorna.

Info: By the beginning of the 20th century, Lamorna Cove had become home to a group
of artists including Samuel ‘Lamorna’ Birch, Frank Gascoigne Heath, Harold and Laura
Knight and Alfred Munnings. They worked together and played together and
experienced the ‘joys of youth’ in a surge of creativity. Artists were also attracted to
St Ives where the self-taught artist Alfred Wallis began to paint in the 1920s. His
work was championed by modernists such as Ben Nicholson who moved to St Ives
in 1939 together with Barbara Hepworth and Naum Gabo. They were the leading
modern artists of their day and went on to inspire the next generation of St Ives
artists.

Info: The final lecture will chart the rise of St Ives as a centre for modern art after the
end of the Second World War and show that it was not only Nicholson, Hepworth
and Gabo who achieved international success but many other artists such as Peter
Lanyon, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and Wilhemena Barns Graham. This success led to
St Ives becoming a fascinating focal point for post-war modern art.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Linnean Society of London, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom