Sparkling Sea, Cornwall

Born in London on 26 June 1879, James Bolivar Manson studied first at Lambeth School of Art, and then, like many of his contemporaries, he travelled to Paris to study at the Académie Julian. Whilst there Manson was inspired by the French Impressionists, whose influence is clearly evidenced in the strong light and pointillist depiction of the sea in Sparkling Sea, Cornwall. In 1920, the same year this was painted, he formed the Monarro Group with his close friend Lucien Pissarro, which aimed at promoting the Impressionist tradition in Britain - Claude Monet was appointed Honorary President. An influential figure in the British Art scene between the wars, Manson was Assistant Keeper of the Tate Gallery (1917-1930), before being appointed Director in 1930, a position he occupied until 1938.