Harold Harvey (British, 1874-1941)


On the Sands signed and dated 'Harold. Harvey. 19.' (lower left)oil on canvas41 x 40.5cm (16 1/8 x 15 15/16in).
|ProvenancePrivate collection, UK (reputedly gifted by the artist).Property of a deceased's estate.ExhibitedLondon, Barbizon House, 1932.LiteratureMcConkey, Risdon et al, Harold Harvey, Painter of Cornwall, Clifton, 2001, no. 274, p. 149.Harvey revisited the theme of children resting on the beach numerous times throughout his career. In 1917 he painted a work titled On the beach at Newlyn (sold Phillips, 12 November 1958, lot 98). In this work, children similar to the present lot, also surround a fire, perhaps boiling winkles, with Penzance shimmering in the distance. Another work, painted a year earlier, titled Children on the surf depicts a girl with fair hair and white dress on rocks beside the sea; to the left two girls sit close to the sea, the waves foaming on the rocks. In 1928, Harvey painted a similar scene, also titled On the Sands (sold Sotheby's 13 May 1987, lot 130). A more worked composition, two girls lie full length on a yellow sandy beach, with sparkling sea and cliffs beyond. All of Harvey's seaside views, including the present lot, successfully transport the viewer into a haven of warmth, restfulness and peace.Harvey's solo exhibition at Barbizon House in 1932 received positive reviews. Notably, The Times reviewed it on the 5 February and observed 'Mr Harvey appears to be a perfectly logical development from the Newlyn School of Mr Stanhope Forbes, RA, with the brighter and more decoratively considered colour and the more deliberately plastic ambitions which belong to the present day.' In addition, a letter from George Clausen (dated 13 February 1932) said 'We saw your show this morning and were quite charmed with it ! ...the clean fresh colour and honest outlook are so refreshing'. Barbizon House was founded in 1918 at 8 Henrietta Street and ran until 1938. Harvey's exhibition probably toured to Frost & Reed at Clare Street, Bristol in September-October of the same year. We are grateful to Peter Risdon for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.