Tuke, Henry Scott

Biography

Henry Scott Tuke – 1858 – 1929

A great friend of Thomas and Caroline Gotch, with whom he studied at the Slade School of Art in London, Henry Scott Tuke first visited Newlyn at their instigation in 1879. He returned in 1883 and found the village inspirational, declaring that it was ‘simply reeking with subjects’.

A passionate sailor, he eventually chose to settle in Falmouth, moving to a cottage at Pennance Point in 1885 and keeping this as his base for the next 40 years. He continued to visit Newlyn frequently, maintaining his friendships with various members of the colony.

In 1886, Tuke bought an old French brigantine called the ‘Julie of Nantes’, which became his floating studio. He frequently painted other craft in the water, using the intimate knowledge of rigging and seamanship to excellent effect.

As a painter, Tuke adored painting the human form ‘en plein air’, using local boys as his uninhibited models. He is also well known for his portraiture, which proved a more lucrative form of painting.