Thomas Herbert Victor, Mousehole, Cornwall – early 20th-century watercolour

Somerset & Wood

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Stock Number:

JW-675

Thomas Herbert Victor, Mousehole, Cornwall – early 20th-century watercolour

An original early 20th-century watercolour painting, Thomas Herbert Victor, Mousehole, Cornwall.

A truly charming watercolour by Cornish artist Thomas Herbert Victor (1894–1980) showing a view across the picturesque harbour at Mousehole on the southern coast of West Cornwall. Fishing luggers can be seen in the waters of Mount's Bay, with St Michael's Mount in the distance beyond.

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Mousehole was the main port in Mount's Bay, until nearby Penzance and Newlyn began to gain ascendancy. In the early 20th century Mousehole was nevertheless still an important harbour for local pilchard fishing. The harbour is famous for its narrow entrance—the possible reason behind the village's unusual name.

Local artist Thomas Herbert Victor lived his entire life at Mousehole and it is said that he never travelled further than Truro during his lifetime. This watercolour shows Mousehole at a time before tourism brought the crowds to this small harbour village, and the simple clarity of Victor's style communicates his intimate everyday relationship with his beloved home.

In watercolour with touches of white bodycolour. On watercolour board.

All artworks come with a Certificate of Authenticity and—if it is a collection artwork—its accompanying collection text or artist biography.

Details

Signed: Signed lower left.

Inscribed: Inscribed lower left and verso.

Height: 14.9cm (5.9″) Width: 30.3cm (11.9″)

Condition: Overall in good condition for its age.Very slight age toning, with marks to the verso as shown. Please see photos for detail.

Presented: Unframed.

Thomas Herbert Victor (1894–1980) was born at Mousehole, the son of the village shoemaker. His artistic talent was recognised early, and he went to art school in Penzance where he was granted a scholarship from the first term there. Further scholarships were offered to him, including to study at the Slade School, but Victor did not want to leave Mousehole. It is said that he never travelled further than Truro during his lifetime.

Victor became known for his local views of the harbours and streets of all the local fishing villages, at Mousehole, Newlyn, St Ives, the Lizard Peninsula and Clovelly. Many of his works were produced for the Morrab Gallery in Penzance; others were made into postcard series. During the 1960s he had a shop in Mousehole. Increasingly, today, his works are valued as a historic record of these areas of Cornwall, which have changed so significantly over recent decades through the increase in tourism and decline in the fishing industry.

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