St Michaels Mount, Simeon Stafford (b. 1956), British, oil on plate

This vibrant, highly textured work by Simeon Stafford is a compelling example of the artist’s celebrated “naive” expressive style. Through his characteristic use of heavy impasto—applying thick, energetic layers of oil paint—Stafford transforms a familiar Cornish coastal scene into a bustling celebration of colour and form. The work shares a distinct kinship with the lively, populated landscapes of L.S. Lowry; both artists favour a flattened perspective and a whimsical, almost totemic treatment of figures and scenery.

Heavily associated with Cornwall, Stafford’s work is deeply informed by the chaotic joy of the British seaside. The depiction of the iconic St Michael’s Mount adds a narrative, folk-art quality, grounding the bright palette of cerulean and sunny ochre in a sense of direct, innocent observation. It is a work that prioritises the “mood” of the holidaymakers over rigid realism, resulting in a composition that is both playful and structurally confident.

The painting is signed to the lower left edge, and is titled and dated on the verso.

23cm diameter