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Lot Essay
The son of a Major-General, Charles Simpson was born in Camberley, Surrey, into a family who had patronised a number of artists, including Millais and Watts. He briefly studied under Lucy Kemp-Welch and in the early 20th Century met and befriended Alfred Munnings, whom he accompanied to Cornwall in 1905. Simpson fell in love with the area and soon set up a studio in Newlyn, before going on to marry Ruth Alison, one of Stanhope Forbes's pupils, in 1913. The pair set up a painting school in St Ives and continued to live in Cornwall for most of their lives.
Laura Knight on her arrival in Newlyn in 1907 incorrectly described Simpson as one of Stanhope Forbes's students, although she did say he was one of his best, and added 'He was so prodigal with paint, he could be traced by the colour left on the brushes!'. The use of thick layers of impasto is a defining characteristic of Simpson's work, as evidenced in the present picture.
Laura Knight on her arrival in Newlyn in 1907 incorrectly described Simpson as one of Stanhope Forbes's students, although she did say he was one of his best, and added 'He was so prodigal with paint, he could be traced by the colour left on the brushes!'. The use of thick layers of impasto is a defining characteristic of Simpson's work, as evidenced in the present picture.