Alfred Wallis

Alfred Wallis (1855-1942) was a British painter known for his naive and primitive style. Born in Devon, England, Wallis worked as a fisherman and a marine scrap merchant before turning to painting in his late sixties. He was self-taught and began painting as a way to occupy his time after the death of his wife. Wallis's paintings often depicted the sea, ships, and coastal landscapes, reflecting his lifelong connection to the maritime world. His work was characterized by its simplicity, bold colors, and lack of perspective, which gave his paintings a childlike quality. Despite his lack of formal training, Wallis's art caught the attention of the art world, particularly the members of the St. Ives School, including Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood. They were drawn to the authenticity and rawness of his work, which stood in contrast to the more polished and academic art of the time. Wallis's paintings were exhibited in several galleries during his lifetime, including the Leicester Galleries in London, and his work is now held in various public collections, including the Tate Gallery. Although he remained relatively unknown during his lifetime, Wallis is now recognized as an important figure in British modern art and a pioneer of the naive art movement.