Vissersplaatsje St. Ives 1905

Prosper-Alphonse Isaac made this pen drawing of a Cornish fishing town, 'Vissersplaatsje St. Ives', in 1905. The image captures St. Ives harbour with its boats and buildings, and the scene is enlivened by a flock of birds in the foreground. The late 19th and early 20th century saw a huge influx of artists to Cornwall, drawn to its dramatic landscapes and unique way of life. Artists set up studios and schools, and dealer networks developed. St. Ives became a popular destination and the artists colony developed a distinct character with its own figures and power structures, for example, the St. Ives School. We can see the influence of Impressionism in this drawing, in its attention to light and atmosphere, and its concern with capturing a fleeting moment in time. Examining exhibition catalogs, artist biographies, and local histories can reveal how Isaac positioned himself within the St. Ives art scene. The drawing then becomes a document not only of place, but of the social conditions that shape artistic production.