Whiffing

In the early years of the twentieth century, Harvey felt comfortable in responding to the new social phenomeon of tourism which was becoming fashionable in Cornwall. The heroic fisherfolk of the early Newlyn years would, by 1905, be more often seen taking visitors on pleasure cruises. Harvey's subjects are observed in a rowing boat 'whiffing' (fishing with a rod and line) on a calm day in the harbour; his lads are 'local "sons of the sea", dabbling in the friendly waters of a familiar bay' (see K. McConkey, Harold Harvey Painter of Cornwall, Penzance, 2001, p. 19). In Whiffing in Mount's Bay (circa 1890; private collection) a similar composition shows three boys fishing with a simple hook and line, Harvey's images of young, healthy fisherboys becoming symbolic of the typical English seaside holiday.