Shipwreck 1, the Wreck of the 'Alba'

"Shipwreck 1, the Wreck of the 'Alba'" portrays the dramatic sinking of the SS Alba, a Panamanian-registered vessel owned by Burger B., which sank off St Ives, Cornwall, on 31 January 1938. The painting captures the chaos and tragedy of this maritime disaster through a vivid, almost naive art style that emphasizes bold, simplified forms and bright colors, reminiscent of naïve art (primitivism). The scene evokes the stark power of nature and human frailty, transforming this historical event into a compelling marina tableau rich with emotional immediacy and visual storytelling.