Small Boat in a Rough Sea - Alfred Wallis

A small sailing boat braves a turbulent sea in this maritime painting by Cornish artist Alfred Wallis. Characterised by its simple, direct style and use of colour, Wallis's work captures the power and unpredictability of the sea.

Alfred Wallis (1855-1942) was a Cornish fisherman and artist, one of the best-known British 'naïve' painters. He began painting in his 70s, after the death of his wife, as a way to occupy himself and to depict the maritime scenes of his past. Wallis had no formal training, and his work is characterised by its simple, direct style and use of colour. He often painted on found materials, such as cardboard and wood, and his paintings are often small in scale. His work gained recognition during his lifetime, championed by artists such as Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood. They encountered Wallis on a trip to St Ives in 1928, and were struck by the originality and power of his vision. 'Small Boat in a Rough Sea' exemplifies Wallis's distinctive style. The painting depicts a small sailing boat struggling against a turbulent sea. The composition is simple, with the boat dominating the image. Wallis's use of colour is striking, with the blue of the sea contrasting with the white of the boat's sails. The painting conveys a sense of the power and unpredictability of the sea, and the vulnerability of those who depend on it for their livelihood. The rough texture of the paint adds to the sense of immediacy and rawness.