Newlyn School artist in Dorset sale

A watercolour drawing by Walter Langley, the English painter and one of the founders of the Newlyn School of plein air artists in the southwest of Cornwall is going under the hammer in a Dorset saleroom.

The work, entitled The Lass Who Loves A Sailor has an estimate of £7,000 to £9,000 at Charterouse Auctions, and is typical of Langley’s work which reveals a sympathy for his largely working class subjects, amongst whom he lived.

“Like all Walter Langley’s watercolour drawings it is beautifully executed.” Commented auctioneer Richard Bromell. “Walter painted in watercolour at a time when painting in oil was more prestigious and today he continues to be highly sought after by collectors and museums.”

Walter Langley moved with his family to Newlyn, Cornwall in 1881. He came from a working class background with far left political views. His working class background enabled him to identify with the villagers and the hardships they endured.

The Newlyn School was a colony of artists based in and around Newlyn from the 1880’s to the early 20th century and continues to be a favoured placed for artists to paint and live.

The Newlyn School artists were fascinated by the fisherman’s working life at sea and the everyday life in the harbour and surrounding area.

The sale takes place on July 18 and 19.