The art colonies of Newlyn, Lamorna and St Ives are well-known but somehow that of Polperro has failed to attract the same degree of attention despite the fact that the village has drawn numerous artists over the years. Furthermore, unlike most other Cornish art centres, Polperro has largely retained its attractive features and had not been unduly spoilt by modern development.   Margaret Tarrent - The Inner Quay, Polperro (1946)

Now, at last, an impressive two-volume work has been published that should change all that. Art historian David Tovey, whose great-grandfather William Titcomb was among the many artists to have visited Polperro in the 20th century, has produced a handsomely illustrated publication, Polperro: Cornwall’s Forgotten Art Centre, encompassing work by artists spanning two centuries.

Not only are both volumes fully illustrated with colour plates throughout, but the author weaves an enormous amount of well-researched social history in with an account of the artists’ work featured.