In 1786 John Opie was already known as a successful portrait painter and had been given the epithet “The Cornish Wonder”. But he harboured ambitions to capture more than just likenesses. He dreamt of finding renown as a painter of historical scenes, which are considered in art history to be a more prestigious subject matter.
Opie was an older contemporary of Turner and the similarities in their respective styles can be seen in the backdrop of this work. The coal smoke from the smelting furnaces drifts across the skyline, its choking bleakness bringing on a premature darkness. A Gentleman and a Miner is in essence a portrait of Captain Morcom and Thomas Daniell. But is also a work which documents a time when it seemed that the Cornish landscape was as likely to be dominated by mines as Stoke-on-Trent’s had been by potteries or Manchester’s by cotton mills. When Opie completed this painting Cornwall was far removed from the stunning and aspirational destination it is today. The county was being plundered for its abundant riches. Its thriving ports thronged with fishing boats whilst inland the landscape was scarred by the metal mines.
In the painting we see Morcom, a successful mining Captain, showing the wealthy merchant and adventurer Thomas Daniell a specimen of copper ore. Leaning in from the top corner, Morcom gives the conversation a sense of urgency and gravitas. His finger jabs the air and draws our eye to the mine in the distance. The mine’s significance to the prosperity of the region is reinforced by Daniell’s fashionable powdered wig, tailored suit, lace cuffs and lavishly upholstered armchair.
Ironically it was not the mines but the railways that shaped the future economy of Cornwall. Built originally to plug the gap left by a lack of local coal, they instead brought in tourists keen to leave the smog-ridden cities behind in search of quiet relaxation surrounded by nature, much as they still do today.
Royal Cornwall Museum is located on River Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2SJ and is open every day except Sunday and bank holidays.
Michael Escolme 