In 1882, Langley settled in Newlyn, Cornwall. The subjects of his paintings were typically Cornish fishermen and their families. The title of this picture is taken from Charles Kingsleys (1819-1875) poem 'The Three Fishers', the first verse reads: Three fishers went sailing away to the west, Away to the west as the sun went down; Each thought on the woman who loved him the best, And the children stood watching them out of the town; For men must work, and women must weep.

Walter Langley

905x535mm

Watercolour on wove paper with scratching-out

Bequest 1908

1908P22