Algernon Talmage

Algernon Talmage was born in Fifield, Oxfordshire, the son of Rev. John Mayow Talmage, a clergyman of Cornish stock.^[2] During his childhood, Talmage got into an accident with a gun, permanently injuring his right hand; as a result Talmage painted with his left hand and was exempt from active service in the First World War.^[3] In 1892, Talmage studied under Hubert von Herkomer at the Herkomer School of art in Bushey. During his time at Herkomer, Talmage painted alongside Lucy Kemp-Welch, both of whom had a great interest in painting landscapes and horses.^[4] From there he moved to St Ives, Cornwall, where he joined the St Ives School. During his time in Cornwall Talmage founded an artists' club which was greatly influenced by the Cornish coastline. Talmage's time in Cornwall was significant in establishing his characteristic mellow palette and enchanting use of light.^[3] Talmage is best known for tutoring Emily Carr during her studies at St Ives when he lived and worked in his studio which was then called 'The Cabin' located on Westcotts Quay, St Ives.^[5] His criticism was a significant early influence on her work, encouraging her earliest forays into the forest paintings that would eventually become her trademark. Carr's vivid palette grew from his critical reminder that "there is sunlight in the shadows."^[6] The well-known Australian painter Will Ashton was another of his students.

In 1896, Talmage married Cornish artist Gertrude Rowe and together they had two daughters, Archie and Dorothy. In 1900 Talmage and fellow St Ives School artist Albert Julius Olsson established the Cornish School of Landscape, Figure and Sea Painting.^[3] Later, Talmage and Gertrude ran their own art school, with Olsson acting as a 'visiting' artist. Talmage separated from Gertrude in 1907, and moved to Chelsea, London with his former-pupil Hilda Fearon.