'Lamorna' Birch collection to be offered for sale

8th May 2026

A private collection of works by Samuel John ‘Lamorna’ Birch (1869-1955), formed by a renowned expert on Newlyn artists, will be offered for sale in the upcoming Modern British & 20th century Art sale on 2nd June 2026.

The collection belonged to the late Austin Wormleighton (1937-2019) who was an authority on the work of the artist Samuel John Lamorna Birch and a distinguished historian of the Newlyn artists. Wormleighton wrote the definitive biography about Birch, `A Painter Laureate: Lamorna Birch and his Circle` (recently republished by Whitefox Publishing, 2025). His collection of the work of Samuel John Lamorna Birch, RA, RWS (1869–1955) will comprise of; 14 oil paintings and over 20 watercolours and sketches, offered as 33 lots. Many of these works by Birch were included in the recent exhibition Lamorna Birch: A Painter Laureate at Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance (October 2025-January 2026).

Born in Egremont, Cheshire, in 1869, Birch became closely associated with Cornwall after settling in the Lamorna Valley in 1895. Inspired by French Impressionism following studies at the Académie Julian in Paris, he developed a distinctive painterly style characterised by luminous colour, textured brushwork and a remarkable sensitivity to natural light. His evocative depictions of the Cornish landscape helped establish Lamorna as an important artistic centre during the early twentieth century.

Paintings specialist Richard Kay said, “Birch absorbed influences from French Impressionism, working en plein air and developing a sensitivity to light and atmosphere that would define his mature work. His time in France was crucial in shaping his painterly approach, encouraging looser brushwork and a brighter palette than was typical in British art of the period.”

Birch achieved considerable success during his lifetime, becoming a member of the Royal Academy in 1934. Today, his work is remembered for its celebration of light, colour and his great love of the enduring beauty of the Cornish landscape.

Richard Kay, who was a personal friend of Wormleighton, continued: “Having known Austin for over 30 years, I have been familiar with this collection for some time. It will be a poignant moment when the pictures that he so treasured are acquired by new owners. Birch’s love of nature, of light and of the glories of Cornwall are apparent throughout. He was a true pioneer of the art of the pure landscape in Cornwall and he responded to it with a passion that bordered on the spiritual.”

Highlights in the sale include:

• The Old Quay, Lamorna, from my Garden, oil on panel, 33 x 41cm (£3,000-5,000*). Painted from Birch’s garden, capturing skilfully the mellow Cornish light. The picture has an alternative title, `Nestling Sun, The Quay, Lamorna` but the view has changed only a little today.
• Lamorna Stream in Springtime, oil on canvas, 46 x 62cm, a Royal Academy exhibit from 1922 (£3,000-4,000*). A scene from halfway down the Lamorna Valley, close to Sir Alfred Munnings’ studio.
• Shores of Loch Riddon. The 2ft 10in x 3ft 4in (87cm x 1.02m) oil on canvas was a Royal Academy exhibit from 1937 and was painted after an enjoyable family cruise on the West Coast of Scotland. Pre-estimated £6,000-8,000 (*before fees)