19th Century North fishing village art sold for £16,000

TYNESIDE couple Robert and Isa Jobling were among the leading artists who portrayed sea and fisherfolk scenes.

- TONY HENDERSON @Hendrover

From their home in Whitley Bay, both were part of the artists' "colony" which depicted life in the fishing village of Cullercoats.

Such was the popularity of their work that in 1890 The Journal said: "Mr Jobling has made Cullercoats famous for his canvases, and by-the-by he will be famous for overrunning the village with tourists."

Now more than 40 works by the couple have returned to the North East from Canada and on Thursday they sold for a total of £16,000 in Anderson & Garland's fine art sale in Newcastle,

Auctioneer Georgia Norman said: "The grandfather of our vendor emigrated to Canada from Newcastle in the early 20th century.

"Before he left, he purchased works directly from Robert Jobling's studio to take with him as a reminder of home.