Forbes picture sells for £170,000 - 08/04/2010

An early 19th century painting by Irish artist Stanhope Alexander Forbes has sold at auction for £170,000, according to the BBC.

The piece, entitled 'Inner Harbour – Abbey Slip', depicts a small docking area in Penzance.

The previous owner had been in possession of the painting since 1973, though their decision to sell turned out not to be as lucrative as had perhaps been hoped, with the lot having been given a presale estimate of between £240,000 and £260,000.

Despite being Dublin-born, Forbes is widely regarded to be one of Cornwall's most important artists. He is seen as a founder of the Newlyn School of painters, who favoured open-air painting and realism of local colour.

Stanhope Alexander Forbes studied art in both London and Paris before moving to Cornwall and establishing a reputation for himself.

He died in Newlyn, where he spent most of his life, in 1947 at the age of 89.