William Banks Fortescue was a highly regarded painter of genre and figure subjects. He often chose to depict boats and ships as he lived and worked in St. Ives in Cornwall and spent many hours watching the fishing and coastal life. This fine artist was honoured to have his works chosen for exhibition at the Royal Academy from 1887. His most famous exhibited works were entitled “The Larboard Light,” and “Harvest Festival in a Cornish Fishing Village.” All of the leading London Galleries exhibited his works from 1880 including the Royal Institute of Oil Painter and the Royal Society of British Artists. Fortescue exhibited at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists from 1875. He was honoured to be elected a member of this society in 1899. He lived for many years in the Midlands around 1880, before moving to Lancashire and then St. Ives in 1896. He also spent many hours painting in Venice on his trips to Italy. Fortescue is a superb artist of his generation and his scenes depict a wonderful light and atmosphere, capturing the characters of his figures. Collectors all over the world favour his work.