Oil painting -> List of Painters -> Alfred Wallis
EARLY DAYS:
Alfred Wallis (18 August 1855 - 29 August 1942) was an English fisherman and artist.
Alfred Wallis was an English painter and fisherman who lived in St Ives, Cornwall, during the early 20th century. He is best known for his na?ve style of painting, which was inspired by his lifelong experience of the sea and the surrounding Cornish landscape. His works are characterized by their bright colors, bold lines and simple shapes, and have become highly sought-after by collectors.
Wallis was born in Devon in 1855 and grew up in a fishing family. He spent much of his life as a mariner, working on both coasting vessels and deep-sea ships. He later settled in St Ives, where he worked as a mariner and sign writer until his retirement in 1922.
Wallis took up painting in his retirement and developed the na?ve style that would come to define his work. His paintings depict scenes from his lifetime of fishing, such as boats in harbor, stormy seas and fish on the line, and his everyday life in St Ives.
Wallis's paintings were created from whatever materials he had available. He often used scraps of cardboard and wood, and painted with household paints and varnish. His works are characterized by their bright colors and bold lines, often rendered in flat planes and simple shapes.
Wallis was largely unknown during his lifetime, but his works were rediscovered in the 1960s and since then, his paintings have become highly sought-after by art collectors. His works are now held in major museums and galleries such as the Tate in London and the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall.
Wallis's paintings are a testament to his lifelong passion for the sea and his love of the Cornish landscape. His works are a reminder of the joys of life, and of the beauty and power of nature. His paintings have a timeless quality, and continue to inspire and delight audiences all over the world.
Personal Details:
CAREER:
Wallis began painting in his later years, and his work has since become iconic and beloved in the British art world. Wallis is renowned for his paintings of boats, harbours and the sea, all created in his own individual style, and for his unique use of bright colours.
From an early age, Wallis worked with his father on the family boat and learned how to build and repair ships. Wallis continued this work throughout his life, eventually becoming a master shipwright.
In 1895, Wallis moved to St. Ives, Cornwall, where his father had originally been born. It was here that Wallis began his painting career, after being encouraged by a local artist, Harry O. Elkins. Wallis found a passion for painting and created his first canvas, a shipyard scene, in 1899. He painted mainly from memory, and his works were often done in a na?ve style, with bright colours and a lack of perspective. Wallis continued to paint for the rest of his life, and his works became increasingly popular.
Wallis's paintings are known for their unique style and techniques, which are now often referred to as 'Wallisisms'. He used bright and bold colours to create dynamic compositions and to represent his love of the sea. He often painted the same subject multiple times, showing the same scene in different light or from different angles. Wallis also used a distinctive style of brushwork, with broad strokes that were often done with a palette knife.
In addition to his paintings, Wallis is also known for his wooden boat models. He was an avid collector and builder of model boats, and he often used them as inspiration for his paintings. Wallis is also known for his wall hangings, which he created using scraps of wood and rope.
Wallis died in December 1942, at the age of 87. His work has since become an iconic part of British art, and his paintings and models are highly sought after. Wallis's works are now held in many of the world's leading galleries and museums, including the Tate Britain, the National Maritime Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. Alfred Wallis was a self-taught painter who created distinctive and colourful works of art that are now beloved by many.
