Sail and Steam off The Eddystone, an oil on canvas dated 1880 by William Gibbons (1841 – 1886), is in Elford Fine Art’s Christmas exhibition and sale

Elford Fine Art’s exciting, new Christmas exhibition of oil paintings and watercolours opens next Saturday (November 24) at the gallery in Tavistock. Works by artists of local, national and international renown include historic views of Cornwall and Devon, traditional Victorian and Edwardian subjects, early 20th century impressionism and a sparkling choice of contemporary landscapes, seascapes and animal studies.

Two exceptional oils by William Gibbons (1841-1886) depict the busy fishing and commercial harbourside of Plymouth Barbican in 1877 and sail and steam ships off Smeaton’s Eddystone Lighthouse in 1880.

This famous tower is shown in its familiar red and white hoops, which were introduced in 1875. Two years later, the decision was taken to replace the lighthouse, and it was dismantled and partially rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe, where it stands today.

All the paintings in this compelling exhibition are for sale, including an outstanding, early canvas by William

Pitt (1818-1900), showing Notter Bridge on the River Lynher in 1870.

This Birmingham-born painter was a regular visitor to the South West and the region’s rivers and estuaries attracted him in particular. Pitt was an accomplished chronicler of everyday country life and often focussed on the people who lived and worked by the water.

There are paintings from the celebrated art schools of St Ives and Newlyn, including a highly desirable snow scene by Samuel John Lamorna Birch.

The impressive list of artists continues with Charles James Adams, John Barrett, C E Brittan, Nicholas and Nicholas Matthew Condy, E W Haslehust, G H Jenkins, Charles Napier Hemy, Alfred Leyman, Henry Martin, Arthur Perry, James Stinton, W H Sweet, Henry Scott Tuke, J A Wheeler, Terrick Williams and Frederick John and William Widgery.

Of huge appeal among an enticing selection of 21st century pictures is a major new work by the highly talented Duncan Palmar. Early in his career, Duncan painted an iconic series of magnificent Polperro scenes, which, although keenly sought after by his enthusiastic collectors, he restricted to just three works. Now, a superb new oil of Polperro marks Duncan’s return to his first love of painting on canvas on a large scale.

Elford Fine Art’s Christmas show is open at The Gallery, Drake Road, Tavistock from next Saturday, November 24 to Saturday, December 1 (11am to 3.30pm, closed Sunday).

Telephone 07712 137272 or visit elfordfineart.co.uk for more details.

Polperro, oil on canvas by Duncan Palmar; Notter Bridge on The Lynher, 1870, a canvas by William Pitt (1818-1900); Teignmouth and Shaldon by Frederick John Widgery (1861-1942); The Guildhall, Exeter by Alfred Leyman (1856-1933)