Towards the end of the 19th century, the North Yorkshire fishing village of Staithes became enlivened with the buoyant spirits of various artists seeking the effects of ebullient coastal light. Initiated by the pioneering William Gilbert Foster (1855-1906), The Staithes Group comprised around 40 artists including the eminent Laura (1877-1970) and Harold Knight (1874-1961). Many of whom moved to the area, with others visiting for several months at a time.
Following the extension of the railway in 1883, artists gained access to rolling sun-tipped breakers, beaches and the local activities of fisherfolk drained through toil. It was a cornucopia of inspiration amid the harsh realities of local working life. The influx of painters during this period would’ve been a conspicuous addition to the lives of villagers and it’s interesting to consider how they blended in.
It’s said that numerous artists boarded in the attics of fishermen, probably taking meals and witnessing the return of the fleet. With Joseph Bagshawe (1870-1909) even heading out to sea to study the conditions first-hand.
As a result, The Staithes Group produced an enlightening body of work including scenes, landscapes and portraits - recording for posterity a simpler time of much endeavour. Their inaugural show was held in 1901 with the group disbanding in 1907.
Guiding Principles
- Studied directly from nature.
- Somewhat inspired by the French Impressionists.
Artists
- Edward Enoch Anderson (1878-1961)
- John Atkinson (1863-1924)
- Joseph R. Bagshawe (1870-1909)
- Thomas Barrett (1848-1924)
- James William Booth (1867-1953)
- Owen Bowen (1873-1967)
- John Bowman (1872-1915)
- Andrew Charles Colley (1859-1910)
- Harold Edward Conway (b.1872)
- Lionel Townsend Crawshaw (1864-1949)
- Ernest Dade (1868-1936)
- William Gilbert Foster (1855-1906)
- Arthur A Friedenson (1872-1955)
- Sidney Valentine Gardner (1869-1957)
- Ralph Hedley (1848-1913)
- Florence Adelina Hess (1891-1974)
- Leandro Ramón Garrido (1869-1909)
- Rowland Henry Hill (1873-1952)
- Henry Silkstone Hopwood (1860-1914)
- John William Howey (1873-1938)
- John Spence Ingall (1850-1936)
- Frederick William Jackson (1859–1918)
- Isabella Jobling (1851-1926)
- Robert Jobling (1841-1923)
- Harold Knight (1874-1961)
- Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970)
- Charles Hodge Mackie (1862-1920)
- Frank Henry Mason (1875-1965)
- Hannah Mayor (née Hoyland) (1871-1947)
- William Frederick Mayor (1865-1916)
- Paul Paul (1865-1937)
- Frederick Stuart Richardson (1855-1934)
- Ernest Higgins Rigg (1868-1947)
- Mark Senior (1862-1927)
- Albert George Stevens (1863-1925)
- Percy Morton Teasdale (1870-1961)
- Joseph Alfred Terry (1872-1939)
- Hirst Walker (1868-1957)
- James Watson (1851-1936)
- John Wright (1857-1933)