Lot Essay
During the summer of 1891 Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes embarked on a painting trip to Brittany. They spent most of their time at Cancale which they found similar in both landscape, community and spirit to Newlyn. The beach proved to be a source of inspiration to them both, as at Newlyn, and they concentrated on capturing the life of the sea-faring Breton community.
Elizabeth Forbes recorded their visit and commented on Cancale: 'Cancale has certain features in common with our own Newlyn. Further out, in a wider sweep of bay, lies the great Mont St. Michel - the larger prototype of our own St. Michael's Mount; the slate roofs of Cancale lie in shadow under the cliff just as nestles the kindred village on the English coast. Whosoever loves the Cornish soil must perforce feel drawn towards that Breton land, of which, if one believes the old legends, it once formed a part'.
(see Mrs. Birch, Stanhope A. Forbes, A.R.A. and Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes, A.R.W.S., London, 1906, p.44)
We are very grateful to Professor Kenneth McConkey for his help in cataloguing this lot.
Elizabeth Forbes recorded their visit and commented on Cancale: 'Cancale has certain features in common with our own Newlyn. Further out, in a wider sweep of bay, lies the great Mont St. Michel - the larger prototype of our own St. Michael's Mount; the slate roofs of Cancale lie in shadow under the cliff just as nestles the kindred village on the English coast. Whosoever loves the Cornish soil must perforce feel drawn towards that Breton land, of which, if one believes the old legends, it once formed a part'.
(see Mrs. Birch, Stanhope A. Forbes, A.R.A. and Elizabeth Stanhope Forbes, A.R.W.S., London, 1906, p.44)
We are very grateful to Professor Kenneth McConkey for his help in cataloguing this lot.