Houses Either Side of Port Entrance and Seven Boats - Alfred Wallis

A graphite drawing by Cornish fisherman and artist Alfred Wallis, depicting a harbour scene with boats and buildings in his signature naïve style.

Alfred Wallis, a retired Cornish fisherman, began his artistic practice in his late sixties. This work, executed in graphite on paper, demonstrates his characteristic approach to maritime subjects. Wallis did not adhere to traditional rules of perspective or scale. Instead, he prioritised the clarity of the objects he knew from his life at sea. The composition is organised to show the port entrance flanked by structures, with various vessels positioned in the foreground and mid-ground.

His technique is direct and unrefined. The lines are simple, serving to define the shapes of the hulls, masts, and buildings without unnecessary ornamentation. The lack of formal training allowed Wallis to create a visual shorthand for the harbour environment. He often used whatever materials were available, including scraps of cardboard or paper, which contributes to the raw quality of his output.

This drawing captures the essence of a working harbour. The boats are rendered with a focus on their functional parts, such as sails and rigging. The houses are depicted with basic geometric forms, reflecting the architecture of St Ives where Wallis lived. His work gained attention from members of the St Ives group, including Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood, who admired the honesty and lack of academic influence in his output. This piece provides a clear example of his ability to translate memory and experience into a graphic format. The paper shows signs of age and handling, which is common for his surviving works, adding to the historical character of the piece.