Sir Alfred James Munnings, P.R.A., R.W.S. 1878-1959

The present picture depicts a group of the small fishing boats used by the Cornish people to land the catches of pilchard upon which their whole economy was based. In the early nineteenth century the pilchard fishing industry was still central to the community of Cornwall and the majority of its people were involved in fishing. The artistic community that established itself in Penzance and the surrounding area was at first a contrast to the community of locals but after only a short time the painters became accepted.  

This painting by Munnings bears a close similarity to Stanhope Forbes painting A Safe Anchorage (sold in these rooms, 27 November 2003, lot 31) in which the same type of boats with the PZ initials are moored in Newlyn harbour. Forbes' picture was painted in 1909 only one year after Munnings’ arrival in Cornwall when the two artists were in regular contact.