Original Oil Painting
Simeon Stafford — Oil on Board — “Tall Ship in Harbour”
A vibrant Cornish harbour scene inspired by the naïve maritime tradition of Alfred Wallis
Key Details
Artist: Simeon Stafford (b.1956)
Title: “Ship in a Harbour” (untitled, described)
Medium: Oil on wooden board
Support: Wooden board
Signature: Signed lower left
Dimensions: Image: 30.6 × 40.5 cm (12.0 × 15.9 in)
Framed: 53 × 43.5 cm (20.9 × 17.1 in)
Condition: Excellent – Art is untouched, having been framed professionally behind museum quality, UV blockin glass
Provenance: Private UK collection; acquired from a High Tier auction house
Description
This vibrant original oil on board by acclaimed British artist Simeon Stafford captures a richly animated harbour scene, echoing the charm and directness of Alfred Wallis’s celebrated Cornish boat paintings. The upright sailing ship, simplified perspective and rhythmic dockside composition place the work firmly within the naïve maritime tradition associated with St Ives and modern Cornish art.
Stafford’s expressive brushwork and jubilant colour palette infuse the painting with movement and energy. Its intimate scale makes it ideal for both traditional and contemporary interiors, offering strong visual presence without overwhelming a space. A superb example of modern British harbour painting with clear collector appeal.
About the Artist
Born in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, Simeon Stafford was encouraged from a young age and mentored in his teens by L.S. Lowry, who recognised his potential and guided his early direction. After studying at Hyde College, he turned professional in the 1970s, initially painting Northern narrative scenes in the Lowry tradition.
In 1996 Stafford relocated to Cornwall, where exposure to artists such as Sir Terry Frost and Patrick Heron transformed his palette and compositional freedom. Today he is known for vivid, narrative, and often humorous scenes blending Northern structure with Cornish colour and light. He has exhibited widely, including at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and is a member of the Birmingham Society of Artists. His collectors include HM The King and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, with works held in both private and public collections.
Estimated Date
Late 20th century
Provenance & Notes
From a private UK collection and acquired via a respected High Tier auction house. Presented in a distressed light grey wooden frame with gallery quality UV glazing. Stafford’s work sits within a lineage that includes Alfred Wallis and the St Ives School; this composition, with its dominant ship form and naïve harbour rhythm, is a confident continuation of that Cornish maritime legacy.
