A Cornish Idyll

The poetic title shows the value Langley ascribed to the simple life of Cornish fishing communities. His working-class background was very unusual among 19th century British artists, and his strong Socialist beliefs made him very sympathetic and sentimental towards the people of Newlyn. Here on the old harbour wall, the Newlyn village is visible behind and the young man and woman are surrounded by local earthenware pitchers, fishing tackle and pots. The young fisherman with a clay pipe and rain hat admires his girlfriend as she stitches her material.